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L  I  B  RA  R.Y 

OF  THE 

U  N  IVERSITY 

Of    ILLINOIS 

822 

Su55o 

1823 

y-4 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2010  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


http://www.archive.org/details/owencastleorwhic04sull 


OWEN  CASTLE; 

*  OR, 

WHICH  IS   THE  HEROINE? 

IN   FOUR   VOLUMES. 


BY 

MARY  ANN  SULLIVAN,     _.' 

f£  OF  THE  THEATRES  ROYAL,  LIVERPOOL,  MANCHESTER, 
NEWCASTLE,  BIRMINGHAM,  AND  NORWICH. 


Know  then  this  truth,  enough  for  man  to  know, 

Virtue  alone  is  happiness  below.  POPE. 


SECOND     EDITION. 
VOL.  IV. 


^**~^<*<*<- 


LONDON: 

PRINTED    FOB 

A.  K.   NEWMAN  AND   CO.  LEADENH ALL-STREET. 

1823. 


Edward  Hodson,  Printer,  15,  Cross  Street,  Hatton  Garden. 


8? 

OWEN  CASTLE; 

OR, 

Which  is   the  Heroine? 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 

XHE  base  designs  of  Mrs.  Wallace, 
with  respect  to  Omphale,  had  in  part 
succeeded,  Lord  Merioneth  was  enamour- 
ed by  her  beauty  and  sportive  wit,  and  he 
anxiously  sought  opportunities  to  court 
her  dangerous  favour,  which  the  baron 
was  not  slow  to  observe  ;  her  extreme 
extravagance,  disregard  of  appearances, 
and  the  odium  of  his  friends,  all  heated 
his  jealousy  to  an  alarming  height,  and 
he  often  threatened  to  dissolve  a  connexion 
vol.  iv.  B 


2  OWLN  castle; 

that  brought  on  him  nothing  but  involve- 
ments and  his  own  abhorrence.  Earl 
Northerland  had  greatly  interested  him- 
self in  the  baron's  affairs,  and  painted  to 
him  the  deformity  of  her  conduct  to  Au- 
gustus in  such  a  striking  manner,  as  to 
convince  the  baron  of  the  necessity  of 
speedily  abandoning  her  to  her  vices. 
She  had  heard,  by  means  of  a  domestic 
belonging  to  Earl  Northerland's  establish- 
ment, the  extraordinary  escape  of  Augus- 
tus from  the  Parisian  madhouse,  with  the 
creat  influence  he  held  over  his  lordship, 
whom  she  knew  had  been  her  enemy  with 
the  baron ;  and  she  set  her  inventive 
malice  at  work  to  disturb  the  harmony  of 
the  families  that  were  on  such  friendly 
terms.      To  this  point  she  directed  her 


OR,   WHICH    IS    THE    HEROINE?  3 

discourse  when  Lord  Merioneth  called 
on  her.  "  Your  lordship  is  late,  (cried 
she,  with  a  reproving  pat  of  her  soft  hand 
on  his  shoulder)  I  have  been  waiting 
for  you  some  time." 

He  apologized* 

"  Don't  pretend  such  penitence,  yon 
viie  creature  (she  laughingly  returned)  ; 
you  are  but  this  moment  come  from  Lord 
Orkley's.  Well !  you  have  the  oddest 
taste  in  beauty — (his  lordship  coloured). 
Nay,  now  you  are  angry  at  my  arraigning 
your  choice.  Every  man  has  his  peculiar 
fancy,  and  you  are  not  alone.  The  mu- 
latto newly-made  ladyship  has  had  other 
admirers,  I  assure  you." 


B  2 


4  owen  castle; 

a  You  surprise  me,  madam ;  her  lady- 
ship is  not  long  arrived  from  the  West- 
Indies,  or  America." 

<f  Do  you  suppose  she  came  alone  ?' 

"  Some  female  friend,  I  suppose,  con- 
ducted her  to  England." 

"  Rather  say  a  passionate  admirer,  who 
has  been  bribed  to  secrecy,  in  order  to 
preserve  her  lad\  ship's  tarnished  re- 
putation. Did  not  you  mark,  how  she 
trembled  and  dreaded  my  observing  her 
when  in  the  park,  and  her  reserve  and 
haughty  carriage  towards  me,  because 
I  was  too  well  acquainted  with  her 
amour." 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE  t  b 

"  Heavens!  madam,  how  you  amaze 
me ;  and  his  lordship  has  dared  to  propose 
her  to  me,  one  tainted  in  reputation. 
Pray  what  is  the  name  of  the  gallant :" 

m  Now  you  press  too  far  on  my  good 
nature.  I  will  not  reveal  his  name,  and 
am  sorry  that  I  inadvertently  mentioned 
having  any  knowledge  of  her ;  but  her 
ingratitude  had  hurt  me,  and  we  women 
are  sad  tell-tales.  But  I  won't  suffer  your 
to  breathe  a  sentence ;  if  you  do,  I'll 
banish  you  for  ever  from  my  smiles. 
I've  just  said  sufficient  to  put  you  on 
your  guard  against  imposition^  and  I  hope 
you  will  profit  by  it." 

f*  Her  agitation  is  now  explained  (said 


B3 


6  ©WEN    CASTLE; 

he,  anger  flashing  from  his  eye),  but  1  am 
aware  of  the  deception,  and  it  is  you,  my 
angel,  I  have  to  thank  for  the  rescue  of 
my  honour;  but  I  promise  to  be  obe- 
dient." 

"  That's  right;  and  as  I  am  troubled 
with  ennui  to-day,  pray  take  me  in  your 
barouche  for  an  airing.  She  rang  for  her 
pelisse,  and  he,  though  with  concealed 
unwillingness,  conducted  her  to  it,  and 
drove  to  Kensington.  Elated  at  hep 
triumph  over  Omphale,  and  the  credulity 
t>f  his  lordship,  she  was  all  fascination  and 
spirit  during  the  drive. 

His  lordship  was  extremely  uneasy  at 
the  insinuations  she  had  dropped  respect- 


OR,   WHICH    IS  THE   HEROINE:  7 

ing  Omphale,  though  the  lightness  of 
Mrs.  Wallace's  reputation  made  him 
doubt  the  authenticity.  "  Do  you  know 
what  has  become  of  that  genius,  Mr. 
Swithin  r"  said  lie. 

u  No  (returned  she,  gaily)  ;  unless-  he 
has  taken  flight  to  the  mountains,  with 
his  spouse/' 

"  He  does  not  appear  fit  to  take  charge 
of  her." 

"  The  poor  gentleman  is  not  overbur- 
dened with  penetration ;  and  Lord  Or- 
minstead  seemed  resolute  in  forciag 
himself  on  them. — Alas!  and  a-well-a- 
day !      yonder     comes    the     gentleman." 

b  4 


S  OWEN    CASTLE; 

Tobit  Swithin  appeared  galloping  hastily 
towards  them.  "  Pray,  my  lord,  have 
somj2  sport  with  him."  He  stopped  the 
horse.  "  Where  hast  thou  been,  killing 
swine  ?"  cried  Mrs.  Wallace. 

"  What  you've  heard  of  it  (replied 
Tobit),  I  thought  it  wouldn't  be  long  a 
secret,  at  least,  from  you/' 

*  I've  a  good  eye,  I  can  see  a  church  by 
day  light," 

44  Why,  for  the  matter  of  that,  so  can 
any  one  that  isn't  blind/'  smartly  retorted 
Tobit, imagining  he  had  said  a  witty  thing, 

*  But  the  matter." 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE    HEROINE  ? 


"  Matter  enough,  and  I  have  to  be 
obliged  to  you,  madam,  for  your  lordly 
friend,  who  would  come  and  dine  with 
me." 

"  Civil  as  an  orange,  and  something 
of  its  jealous  complexion  !" 

€t  Jealous !  and  who  would'nt  be 
jealous,  when  he  had  such  a  cause.  I 
shan't  enter  into  the  particulars  now,  but 
I  have  sent  Mrs.  Swithin  into  Wales,  to 
mamma,  who  will  take  care  of  her,  I 
warrant ;  and  challenged  my  Lord  Or- 
minstead,  to  let  him  see  he  was'nt  to 
intrude  on  a  welchman's  territory  with 
impunity. 


B5 


19-  OWEN  CASTLE; 

"  Oh,  bravo,  bravo  /"  cried  she,  he- 
roically " 

"  Bravo  !  yes  1  don't  want  spirit.  To 
be  sure  we  did  not  shed  any  blood  ;  the 
seconds  interfered,  or  we '  might  have 
done  one  another  a  prejudice ;  but  there 
was  a  deal  of  heat  between  us,  particu- 
larly on  my  side ;  for  I  supposed  my 
honour  was  impeached  by  his  lordship's 
gallantry  to  Mrs.  Swithin.  But  the  second 
he  had  chosen,  told  me  it  was  nothing 
more  than  fashionable  manners,  for  that 
many  married  ladies  had  a  cicisbeo,  and 
that  husbands  now-a-days  thanked  them 
for  taking  the  trouble  of  attending  their 
wives  off  their  hands.  But  as  I  was  a 
country    gentleman,     and    was     new    to 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  11 

London  manners,  his  lordship  would 
accept  my  apology.  So  I  thought  it  was 
as  well  as  having  a  bullet  in  my  head, 
and  I  agreed  to  ask  his  pardon ;  so  we 
went  home  to  dinner  in  a  very  agreeable 
way.  But  as  I  did  not  like  exactly  the 
gallantry  of  London,  I  sent  Mrs.  Swithin 
to  Rusty  Ha'l,  on  purpose  to  keep  my- 
self out  of  harm's  way." 

"  And  you  did  right;  it  is  an  excellent 
plan,"  said  Lord  Merioneth.  <f  A  wife  is  a 
troublesome  appendage  to  a  gentleman  in  : 
town,  and  many  would  be  glad  of  ome  so 
obedient,  as  to  leave  the  seat  of  pleasure 
for  the  monotony  of  the  country. 

"  And    you    asked   his   pardon  rn  said 
Mrs.  Wallace,  with  a  half  laugh. 


12  OWEN     CASTLE: 

6i  I  did,  because  his  friend  assured  me,  that 
his  lordship  meant  no  harm.  I  suppose, 
madam,  you  think  that  a  deal  of  honour 
lies  in  having  an  ounce  of  lead  in  one's  body ; 
but  if  a  gentleman  is  shot,  lie  cares  little 
for  his  honour  then  I  believe,  which  veers 
about  and  wheels  over  to  his  antagonist. 
Fighting  is  all  very  well  when  one  can't 
help  it,  but  I  see  no  fun  in  running  one's 
head  against  stone  walls,  when  one  can  be 
quietly  drinking  one's  wine  in  a  friendly 
way." 

u  But  honour,  (cried  she)  honour.'1 

"  Well,  honour  makes  me  call  a  gen- 
tleman out,  but  honour  need  not  make 
me  kill  him  $  and  I  find  going  to  fight  a 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?         13 

duel,  is  as   good  in  making  a   person  a 
man  of  fashion  as  the  reality." 

"  You  will  certainly  put  it  in  the  pa- 
per," said  she  gravely. 

"I  did'nt  think  of  that  myself,  but 
some  friend  has  for  me;  and  I  think  it  is 
very  handsome.  How  they  will  all  stare 
at  Rusty  Hall.  Mamma  will  faint,  Sa- 
bina  will  be  in  ecstacies  ;  and  half  the 
neighbourhood  will  go  to  see  them  on 
purpose  to  wish  mamma  joy  at  my  escape. 
But  read,  read/'  said  he,  pulling  a  paper 
out  of  his  pocket,  "  and  let  your  eyes 
convince  you  that  a  man's  name  for  cou- 
rage does  not  always  depend  on  fighting, 
but  the  appearance  of  it.     Pray  read  out 


1 4  OWEN  CASTLF. ; 

that  his  lordship  may  hear."  Tobit  drew 
himself  erect,  and  importance  swelled 
every  muscle  of  his  face,  as  Mrs  Wallace 
read  aloud  the  paragraph. 

H  We  are  informed  that  a  dispute  of  a 
delicate  nature,  arising  between  a  country 
gentleman,  and  a  nobleman  of  noted  gal- 
lantry, was  yesterday  terminated  in  an  un^ 
expected  and  amicable  manner.  The  chal- 
lenger's courage  was  like  the  sensitive 
plant,  no  sooner  touched  than  it  shrunk. 
He  became  in  an  instant  assured  that 
Cicisbeonism  was  in  perfect  ton,  and  eon* 
fessed  the  ignorance  of  high  breeding  that 
led  him  into  the  absurdity  of  fighting  on 
so  trivial  an  affair.  His  apology  was 
graciously     accepted     by     his     lordship-. 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?         15 

1  What  a  well  bread  age  ive  live  in  T 
The  fair  cause  has  indignantly  fled  the 
scene,  but  her  champion  will  we  trust  still 
continue  to  grace  the  spot  his  valour  has 
crowned- with  perpetual  laurel." 

She  had  just  finished,  when  Lord  Or- 
minstead  and  three  other  gentlemen  rode 
up.  "  What  !  my  man  of  mettle/'  cried 
he,  shaking  the  hand  of  Tobit,  "  are  you 
here  ?" 

"  That  is  fighting  Bob,"  whispered  one 
of  them  to  Lord  Merioneth,  "  I  could  have 
iworn  he  had  belonged  to  the  family  of 
the  Acres.  I  hear  my  lord  you  are  on  the 
point  of  matrimony,  and  no  longer  one  of 
us.  Is  it  a  golden  chain,  or  the  rosy  band 
of   love  that  catches  you  P1 


16  OWEN  CASTLE; 

"  Your  jibs  and  jeers  he  laughs  to  scorn, 
"  No  staff  so  reverend  as   one  tipped  with 
horn.', 


Said  Mrs,  Wallace,  with  great  spirit. 

u  Thank  yon,  madam,"  cried  the  gen- 
tleman who  had  last  spoke ;  "  admirably 
said,  'pon  my  honour." 

"  Yes,  and  quite  in  point,  eh !  my  lord  ?" 
Lord  Merioneth  felt  the  allusion  she  so 
archly  made,  but  did  not  relish  its  poig- 
nancy. 

"  If  I  were  rash  enough  to  take  some, 
that  I  could  name  (returned  he,)  I  should 
justly  fear  a  well  directed  sarcasm*  Eh ! 


OH,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE?  1/ 

Theodosius!     Let  the  galled  jade  wince, 
my  withers  are  unwrung." 

"  That's  severe,  Jack,  you  need  not 
remind  a  man  of  his  misfortunes/' 

"  The  bait  is  gilt,  (said  the  former 
gentleman )  or  I'll  be  sworn  he  would  not 
bite." 

"  Prithee  have  done,  I  am  not  in  tune  for 
your  rallying,"  said  Lord  Merioneth. 

u  Ah,  it  is  a  serious  matter,  Jack.  I  vow 
you  look  as  if  you  were  already  shackled. 
What  a  rueful  phiz  you  draw  up!  But 
where  is  the  dingy  Desdemona  ?"  cried 
Lord  Orminstead. 


IB  OWEN     CASTLE; 

«  Sir  r 

"  Sir !  Why  Jack,  you  are  not  married 
yet ;  do  for  the  love  of  mercy  drop  that 
threatening  aspect ;  It  is  time  enough  to 
look  grave,  when  you  are  really  tied. 
Your  honest  countryman  has  terrified  me 
to  death  with  his  big  looks  ;  1  shan't  be 
able  to  meet  you,  till  I  recover  his  attack. 
Have  you  seen  the  beauty,  and  her  argus  ; 
the  Wesh  baronet  and  the  lily  of  the 
mountain  I" 

"  Oh!  I-  know  whom  you  mean,  ( cried 
Tobir,)  it  is  Sir  Matthew  Fitzowen,  and 
his  young  wife." 

"■  What,  do  you  know  her  my  boy  of 


OR,     WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?  19 

valour,  will  you  introduce  me  r"  said  one 
of  the  gentlemen. 

"  I  dare  not,  Sir  Matthew  is  so  comical 
ha  his  ways  ;  and  if  the  gout  was  twitching 
him,  he  would  not  mind  my  being  an 
old  acquaintance,  but  be  very  uncivil  per- 
haps, and  desire  me  to  leave  the  house.** 

"  The  hesperian  fruit  should  he  guarded 
by  a  dragon,  if  all  men  were  gifted 
with  the  fascinations  of  Mr.  S  within,"  said 
Lord  Orminstead. 

"  Now  you  are  too  polite,  my  lord,  and 
something  of  a  quiz.  I  knew  Lady  Fitz- 
owen,  when  Miss  Fitzheauchamp.  To  be 
sure  she    was    always    'particular  to  met 


20  OWEN  CASTLE; 

that  I  can't  deny,  and  I  shall  take  the 
liberty  of  calling,  but  as  for  introducing 
another,  I  vow  I  dare  not.  They  arrived 
but  two  days  ago,  and  reside  in  Park 
Lane.  I  must  wish  you  now  a  good  morn- 
ingjgentlemen/' 

"  Nay  you  are  not  off,  so,  (cried  Lord 
Orminstead,  laying  his  hand  on  the  bri- 
dle of  his  horse)  we  haven't  half  done  with 
you;  your  society  is  so  enlivening  that 
you  are  the  very  spirit  of  the  company 
you  mix  in." 

"  Yes,  (cried  Mrs.  Wallace)  he  should 
have  had  a  place  at  court,  but  they 
have  a  house  too  full  of  such  as  him,  al- 
ready." 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  21 

u  Bravo,  Bravo!"  vociferated  the  gentle- 
men, and  Lord  Merioneth  wishing  to 
escape  further  notice,  bade  them  adieu 
and   drove  Mrs.  Wallace  home. 


22  ©WEN    CASTLE; 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 


V?  HEN  Mrs.  Wallace  returned  to  dress, 
she  observed  the  baron's  valet,  and  asked 
in  a  careless  manner  if  there  were  com- 
pany to  dinner,  or  if  they  were  to  dine 
tct'e  d  Mte. 

He  answered  with  a  joyous  counte- 
nance, that  his  master  dined  at  Earl  Nor- 
therland's  with  his  wife  and  children,  and 
that  he  had  orders  to  send  his  wardrobe, 
and  every  valuable  after  him  ;  he  then 
delivered  her  a  note  and  withdrew. 


Oil    WHICH    IS    THE  HEROINE?  23 

"  Madam, 

"The  voice  of  conscience 
has  awakened  me  to  a  just  sense  of  my 
cruel  treatment  of  a  virtuous  wife  and 
children,  and  proclaims  that  no  peace 
can  ever  await  a  connexion  where  honour 
and  every  desirable  sentiment  form  not  a 
cement;  I  therefore  withdrew  my  mis- 
placed protection,  to  give  it  where  duty, 
affection,  and  virtue  demand,  and  from 
this  hour  bid  you  an  eternal  farewell." 

Rage  swelled  each  fibre  of  her  heart, 
and  many  moments  elapsed  before  it 
burst  forth  in  vindictive  upbraidings  on 
the  baron's  ingratitude  and  avarice.  Nor 
did  Earl  Northei  land  escape  her  fury ;  she 
knew  he  was  the  counsellor  and  assistant 


24  OWEN  castle; 

of  the  baron,  and  the  chief  means  in 
restoring  him  to  his  wife  and  children. 
Curses  on  his  interference  were  copiously 
showered  upon  his  head,  and  every  ex- 
pression a  woman  robbed  of  luxury  and 
profusion,  could  be  supposed  to  bestow 
on  those  she  had  reason  to  conclude  had 
conspired  to  foil  her  arts,  fell  on  the  happy 
groupe  that  assembled  at  his  lordship's. 

The  house  was  in  the  greatest  confu- 
sion ;  upholsterers  were  taking  down  the 
draperies  and  removing  every  article  of 
furniture  ;  the  carpets  were  rolled  up,  and 
every  apartment  but  her  dressing  room, 
was  in  disorder. 

"  What's  the  meaning  of  all  this,"  she 
demanded  from  the  principal  domestic. 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  25 

• 

u  The  baron,  madam,  gave  orders  for 
its  execution  immediately,  I  know  no- 
thing more  ;  our  wages  have  been  paid, 
and   we  all  leave  the  house  to  night." 

"  Order  the  carriage  I  shall  dine 
abroad,"  cried  she  imperiously,  and 
burning  with  every  baneful  passion  insult 
and  disdain  could  inflict  on  such  a  na- 
ture. 

"  The  baron  has  sent  for  it,  madam,  to 
convey  his  children  to  Earl  Norther- 
land's:' 

She  muttered  a  deep  curse  on  their  in- 
nocent heads,  and  desired  dinner  might 
be  served  in  her  dressing  room. 

VOL.  iv.  C 


26  OWEN    CASTLE; 

"  The  cook  left  an  hour  ago,  madam  ; 
the  larder  is  empty  and  the  fires  are 
all  out/' 

"  Why  was  I  not  informed  of  this 
before,  ('said  she,  stamping  with  mad- 
ness). I  was  the  person  whose  orders 
were  first  to  be  attended  to,  and  how 
dare  you  obey  any  without  first  inform- 
ing mer" 

i{  The  barons  valet,  madam,  settled 
every  thing  according  to  the  orders  he 
had  received  from  his  master.  We  obey 
the  person  who  pays  us,   madam." 

"  Silence,  sir,  and  desire  the  valet  to 
come  to  me." 


OR,    WHICH    IS   THE  HEROINE?         2? 

The  servant  murmured  something  about 
airs,  and  left  the  room  ;  shortly  after  the 
valet  appeared,  and  requested  to  know 
her  commands. 

"  Tell  your  master,  sir,  that  I  shall 
leave  this  house  in  the  morning,  or  when 
I  choose,  and  demand  every  attendance 
from  the  domestics  while  I  remain  in  this 
house." 

"  I  fear,  madam,  my  delivering  your 
message  will  be  of  no  service,  for  his 
express  orders  were  for  me  to  deliver  the 
key  to  the  owner  of  the  house  to-night 
and  if  I   might  advise  you — " 

"  Advice  from  you!  Insolent  familiarity! 

c  2 


28  OWEN    CASTLE; 

Leave  the  room,  and  henceforth  know 
whom  you  address,"  said  she,  haughtily 
passing  by  him. 

"  It  is  my  perfect  knowledge  on  that 
head,  madam,  that  gave  me  presumption 
to  offer  it,  (cried  he  bowing  in  evident 
derision  and  contempt)  and  I  am  ex- 
tremely sorry  to  say,,  that  you  must 
remove  your  property  yourself,  as  your 
maid  has  departed.  When  you  are  ready 
madam,  I  will  call  a  hackney  coach,  that 
will  convey  you  from  here  as  well  as  my 
master's  carriage,  which  is  much  better 
employed  in  the  service  of  his  children 
and  amiable  lady. 

A  fiend-like  look  of  resentment    and 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  29 

contempt  was  her  only  reply,  as  she  flung 
out  of  the  room,  maddened  at  her  de- 
basement to  one  she  conceived   so  much 

her  inferior. 

> 

Her  trunks  were  rudely  filled,  and  has- 
tily put  into  a  coach,  which  she  ordered  to 
Park-lane.  On  her  arrival  there,  she  was 
informed  that  Sir  Matthew  and  his  lady 
were  alone;  the  servant  was  a  stranger  to 
her  person,  and  conducted  her  and  her 
luggage  to  a  parlour  adjoining  the  hall, 
and  soon  sent  Sir  Matthew,  who  hearing  a 
lady  desired  to  speak  with  him,  hobbled 
to  receive  her.  His  astonishment  was 
great  at  the  sight  of  his  old  colleague  in 
former  designs,  he  could  not  disguise  his 
reluctance  to   comply   with  her  desire  of 


c  3 


SO  OWEN   CASTLE  ; 

being  accommodated  in  his  house  for  a  few 
days,,  and  plainly  stated  his  objections. 

"  You  refuse  my  request,"  said  she, 
sternly  regarding  him,  "and  this  is  the  gra- 
titude you  shew  in  reward  for  my  assisting 
you  in  your  marriage.  What  do  you  fear? 
I  am  no  ?nan,  to  create  your  jealousy  ;  and 
as  for  the  fantastic  modesty  of  your  lady, 
who  may  not  receive  me  in  the  warmest 
manner;  leave  me  alone  to  combat  that." 

The  baronet  promised  to  entertain  her 
for  a  few  d^ys.  He  would  have  denied 
this  favour^  if  his  former  obligations  had 
not  forced  him  to  grant  it. 

Lady    Fitzowen     was    thunder  st  ruck > 


OR,    WHICH    IS  THE  HEROINE?         31 

when  her  husband  led  Mrs.  Wallace  into 
the  drawing  room,  and  without  uttering 
a  word,  prepared  to  leave  them. 

"  Stay,  Lady  Fitzowen,  (cried  Mrs. 
Wallace,  with  an  humble  and  beseeching- 
voice,)  stay  a  moment.  That  I  am  an 
unwelcome  intruder,  I  can  well  suppose; 
but  when  I  inform  you  that  distress  has 
obliged  me  to  entreat  your  hospitality  for 
a  jew  days  only,  I  am  aware  that  your 
charitable  nature  will  not  dtny  this  smaM 
request." 

"  Your  own  conscience,  madam,  (re- 
turned her  ladyship,  with  virtuous  digni- 
ty) may  answer  for  me,"  and  she  moved 
toward  the  door. 

c   4 


32  owen  castle; 

"  Is  this  the  fruit  of  your  religious 
life?  (said  Mrs.  Wallace,  stopping 
before  her)   is  this  the  charity  you  boast." 

"  To  deserving  objects,  madam,  (re- 
plied her  ladyship)  I  have  never  refused 
it,  but  I  cannot  bestow  it  where  nei- 
ther esteem  nor  pity  prompts.  Nature  and 
insulted  virtue  demand  my  detestation 
of  one,  who  has  hurried  to  her  grave,  a 
beloved  relative;  involved  me  in  bondage, 
and  plunged  my  friends  in  ruin  and  dis- 
quietude. You  may  be  the  guest  of  Sir 
Matthew,  madam,  but  never  can  be  mine.* 
She  walked  proudly  by  the  intruder,  who 
with  all  her  audacity  felt  awed  by  such 
purity,  and  attempted  not  to  retard  her 
departure,   yet  inwardly  determined  with 


OR,    WHICH    IS    THE    HEROINE  ?         33 

demoniac  envy,  to  stigmatize,  and,  if  pos- 
sible, to  pollute  it. 

The  next  day,  when  summoned  to 
dinner,  her  ladyship,  on  seeing  Mrs.  Wal- 
lace coolly  seat  herself,  could  scarcely  re- 
frain from  quitting  her  situation  at  the 
head  of  the  table  ;  but  the  peremptory 
tone  in  which  Sir  Matthew  desired  her 
to  take  a  chair,  and  the  look  he  cast  on 
her,  convinced  her  how  impossible  it  would 
be  to  follow  the  impulse  of  her  outraged 
feelings ;  she  therefore  contented  herself 
with  a  pointed  silence  during  the  meal, 
and  rose  as  soon  as  the  dessert  came  in. 

Her   ladyship   retired   to  her  dressing 
room,  where  she  waited  for  the  appearance 
c  5 


34  OWEN    CASTLE  J 

of  Sir  Matthew  until  twelve  o'clock. 
Wearied  at  his  long  stay,  she  had  just 
taken  up  a  book  to  beguile  the  time,  when 
Mr.  Maskall  entered,  apparently  much  ele- 
vated. He  apologized  for  intruding  en 
her  privacy,  and  loudly  blamed  Sir  Mat- 
thew for  permitting  Mrs.  Wallace  to  re- 
main beneath  the  same  roof  with  her; 
insinuated  his  dislike  of  her  husband's 
conduct,  and  expressed  his  pity  for  her  ill- 
treatment.  a  Surely,  madam  (said  he) 
you  ought  to  revenge  yourself  on  such 
barbarous  usage."  lie  drew  his  chair 
nearer  to  her's. 

"  A  wife,  sir  (said  she,  reservedly ),  can- 
not wish  revenge  on  him ;  it  is  her  duty  to 
obey." 


OR.    WHTCH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  35 

"  In  all  reasonable  demands,  certainly, 
madam  ;  but  yon  must  confess,  my  dear 
abused  lady,  that  in  the  latter  instance  he 
greatly  degrades  you,  and  not  at  all  ho- 
nours himself?' 

u  I  could  wish  that  my  husband's  be- 
haviour were  such  as  not  to  expose  him 
to  censure/1  replied  she,  taking  up  a  book 
to  prove  her  reluctance  to  listen  to  himr 
and  she  begged  to  be  alone. 

But  disregarding  her  inattention  and  de- 
sire, he  went  on.  "  When  I  reflect  on  your 
youth  and  loveliness,  which  all  eyes  must 
admire  and  every  heart  be  too  sensible 
of — V  Here  he  paused,  and  breathed  a 
heavy  sigh,  fixing  his  eyes  on  her  averted - 

c  (> 


36  owen  castle; 

face.  "  When  I  contrast  his  debilitated 
form  with  these  possessions,  and  know  he 
does  not  prize  them  as  he  ought,  my  re- 
gret is  inexpressible.  Oh  !  madam  (cried 
he),  if  you  knew  how  deeply  you  interest 
me,  you  would — yes,  I  am  certain  you 
would  deign  one  ray  of  pity — of  hope," 
He  caught  her  hand,  and  falling  at  her 
feet,  poured  forth  his  unhallowed  love  in 
the  impassioned  language  of  a  romance. 

She  beheld  him  with  indignation,  and 
repelling  his  advances  with  disdain,  started 
from  the  sofa  where  she  sat,  when  Mrs. 
Wallace  appeared  before  them.  "  I  beg 
pardon,  madam  (she  cried),  I  did  not  know 
in  what  an  agreeable  way  the  evening 
was  passing,  and  shall  intrude  no  longer." 


OR,  WHICH    IS  THE  HEROINE  ?  3? 

A  malicious  sneer  gathered  on  her  features 
as  she  receded. 


"  Remain,  I  command  you  !  (said  her 
ladyship,  in  a  voice  of  authority  that  for 
an  instant  astonished  her  hearers)  nor 
dare  to  put  an  unbecoming  construction 
on  my  actions." 

"  I  have  put  no  construction  as  yet, 
madam,  on  your  actions  (replied  Mrs. 
Wallace,  with  a  bitter  smile  of  ironical 
respect).  Why  should  you  fear  it  ?  All 
conscious  rectitude  is  its  own  defender, 
and  can  defy  the  defamation  of  the  vile." 

"  You  have  entered  rather  mal-apropos 
(said  Mr.  Maskall,  in  confusion) ;  but  if 


38  OWEN    CASTLE; 

you  have   any  generosity,  you  will  keep 
our  secret.'* 


Lady  Fiizowen  stood  aghast  at  the  ef- 
frontery that  insinuated  she  wis  an  ac- 
complice in  his  meditative  designs  on  the 
honour  of  Sir  Matthew. 

"  I  did  not  think  we  should  so  soon  be 
on  a  par,  madam,  (said  Mrs.  Wallace, 
gaily  approaching  her)  or  your  chilling 
reception  of  my  visit  hod  not  passed  with- 
out a  reproof  our  present  equality  might 
have  permitted;  but  you  are  a  serious, 
sa  at,  like  sinner,  whose  puritanic  face 
and  cold  demeanour  might  mislead  even 
me%  who  know  the  woild.  Gome,  shake 
hands,  and  1  promise  to  be  mute." 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HPROINEr  39 

"  I  would  sooner  clasp  a  venomous  ser- 
pent to  my  breast,  than  link  my  guiltless 
hand  in  thy  contaminated  grasp.  As  for 
that  insinuating  monster,  who  has,  by 
his  specious  arts,  blinded  my  credulous 
husband  to  his  adulterous  attempt  on  my 
honour,  I'll  unmask — will  expose  him 
to  the  whole  world,  a  disgrace  to  the  sacred 
profession  he  hypocritically  affects  to  re- 
verence and  serve."  She  rang  the  bell, 
and  desired  John,  who  answered  it,  to 
order  the  carriage,  and  to  send  Sir  Matthew 
to  the  drawing  room,  to  save  her  from  her 
insulters. 

John  answered,  that  his  master  was  so 
overcome  with  wine  that  the  servants 
were  obliged  to  remove  him  to  his  cham- 


40  OWEN    CASTLE; 

ber,  where  he  soundly  slept ;  and  he  dare 
not  order  the  carriage  at  that  late  hour 
without  his  permission. 

<f  Good  heaven!  (cried  her  ladyship) 
how  am  I  surrounded.  Defenceless  against 
my  enemies,  exposed  by  my  husband  to 
their  villainy,  without  one  friend  to  pu- 
nish their  audacity,  or  shield  me  from  un- 
merited contumely  ;  but  I  will  soar  above 
their  malice;  the  truly  virtuous  mind  can 
never  be  debased  or  shrink  from  scru- 
tiny." 

"  Your  ladyship  is  most  incontestibly 
right  (said  Mrs.  Wallace) ;  but  appear- 
ances   ** 

"  Are  certainly  against  us  ;   but  if  you 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  41 

will  permit  me,  madam,  I  will  explain," 
said  Mr.  Maskall  to  Lady  Fitzowen  ;  and 
passing  to  the  door,  continued  to  Mrs. 
Wallace,  "  In  the  morning,  I  will  be  in 
the  study,  madam,  where  I  will  give  you 
every  innocent  statement  of  what  may 
injure  that  lovely  lady  in  your  opi- 
nion.    He  bowed,  and  disappeared. 

His  departure  was  followed  by  a  con- 
temptuous laugh  from  Mrs.  Wallace, 
who  drawing  a  bundle  of  papers  from 
beneath  her  lace  veil,  that  had  been  care- 
lessly thrown  across  her  shoulders,  pre- 
sented them  to  her  ladyship  with  a  satanic 
smile. 

"  What  mean  you  (said  she,  regarding 


42  OWEN   CASTLE; 

her  with  surprise),   and  why  do  you  in- 
sult me  with  your  presence  ef 

<f  Here  is  entertainment.  Peruse  these 
letters  (said  she,  still  holding  them  for- 
ward for  her  reception)  and  here  is  also  a 
newspaper,  which  if  you  condescend  to 
look  over,  will,  I  doubt  not,  please  you, 
and  divert  a  melancholly  hour." 

"  I  once  read  a  newspaper  (groaned  her 
ladyship,  disturbed  by  the  recollection  of 
the  heart-rending  information  it  con^ 
tained),  and  I  never  wish  to  see  another. 
Leave  me." 

"  And  yet  you  lose  much  by  the  neg^ 
lect,"  replied  she,  tauntingly. 


GR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  43 

*  I  desire  to  be  alone.  The  society  of 
those  whose  actions  are  atrocious  must 
ever  be  repugnant  to  the  lovers  of 
virtue." 

*f  Virtue!"  cried  her  inveterate  in- 
truder, with  mortifying  derision,  curving 
her  lip,  and  with  disgusting  familiarity 
in  her  air.  "  Virtue!  where  is  the  virtue 
that  resists  not  a  form  like  Maskalfs } 
Would  you  indeed  taste  the  joys  of 
boundless  love,  I  will  unfold  a  tale  that 
shall  nil  each  vein  with  joy  ;  I  will  be  the 
guardian  of  your  bliss,  I'll " 

"  Woman  V*  cried  Lady  Fitzowen, 
shrinking  from  her  detested  toLich,  for  she 
had  grasped  her  arm  and  her  daring  eye 


44  ©WEN  CASTLE; 

fell  full  on  her  lovely  face.  Shocked 
at  the  intimation  of  her  words,  she  bade 
her  instantly  quit  her  presence. 

"  Yes,  I  will  quit  you,"  returned  she, 
throwing  her  arm  with  triumphant  force 
from  her,  and  malignantly  pointing  to 
the  papers  which  si  e  threw  on  the  carpet, 
said,  i{  Soon,  soon  will  you  bless  this  mo- 
ment of  ignorance,  for  sweet  and  cordial 
will  it  be  to  the  approaching  one,  that 
shall  develope  a  two- fold  misery.  You 
have  driven  me  from  you  ;  s^on  will  you 
curse  your  folly,  and  wisli  in  vain  for  my 
proffered  assistance."  Her  face  shone 
with  savage  exultation  as  she  darted  from 
the  dressing  room,  that  made  the  blood 
recoil  with  terrifying  sickness  from  the 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE    HEROINE  ?  45 

heart  of  her  ladyship,  who  fearfully  took 
up  the  papers  that  were  scattered  at  her 
feet.  They  were  letters,  the  hand,  the  re- 
cent date,  the  signatures  all  rushed  with 
such  force  to  her  tortured  sight  and 
memory,  that  giving  a  scream  of  distracted 
surprise  she  fell  prostrate  on  the  floor, 
and  was  conveyed  cold,  motionless,  and 
without  a  sign  of  life,  to  her  hed  chamber. 


*G  OWEN  CASTLE  ; 


CHAP.   XXXIV. 


JL  HE  hastening  nuptials  of  the  now 
reinstated  Rufus  Marmaduke  with  the 
gentle  Lady  Sarah,  made  the  mansion  of 
Lord  Orkley  the  scene  of  happy  tranquil* 
lity.  The  pensive  cast  of  his  daughter's 
mind  was  impressed  with  pity  for  the 
cruel  fate  of  Ladv  Fitzowen,  whom  she 
had  seen  but  once  since  her  arrival  in 
London,  and -the  form  of  Augustus  that 
ever  floated  before  her  eyes,  had  renewed 
the  picture  of  their  former  loves  in  the 


OR,   WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  4? 

despondent   bosom   of    the   still  tenderly 
attached  Omphale. 

As  the  intended  marriage  was  now 
become  public,  Jonathan  hastened  to 
London,  and  cherished  the  hope  of 
turning  Lady  Sarah  again  to  her  per- 
suasion ;  but  his  skdml  preaching  was 
heard  without  effect,  and  he  was  obliged 
to  go  back  without  his  proselyte.  In  the 
hall  he  met  Chloe,  whom  he  had  often 
importuned  on  the  suspicious  state  of 
Lady  Sarah's  heart,  but  she  never  dis- 
closed or  even  satisfied  his  curiosity  with 
a  confirmation  of  his  doubts,  though 
from  her  attendance  on  her  mistress, 
frequent  opportunities  had  occurred  to  let 
her  into  the  state  of  affairs. 


48  OWEN    CASTLE  ; 

He  stopped  short  at  beholding  her,  and 
shaking  his  head  emphatically  cried, 
"  Thou  art  like  unto  a  dark  lanthorn  in  the 
hand  of  an  evil  doer.  When  the  righteous 
seek  him  he  turneth  it  round  and  shut- 
teth  out  tne  light ;  yea,  he  screeneth  the 
flame  from  the  path  of  the  just,  and  leav- 
eth  them  in  total  darkness." 

"  Why,  (said  David,  who  now  served 
Omphale)  why  should  you  be  so  cross 
and  black  about  the  sweet  Lady  Sarah's 
marriage  with  a  good  young  parson  ?  I'm 
sure  he'll  make  her  as  good  a  husband  as 
any  stifl-  necked  quaker." 

'*  My  body,  friend,  is  erect,  so  are  my 
deeds,  (returned  Jonathan,  drawing  him- 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE  f         49 

self  still  straighter :  "  The  crooked  wind- 
ings of  deceit  are  not  known  amongst  the 
brethren :  we  are  all  upright  men.!* 

"  That  I  believe/'  replied  David,  look- 
ing slyly  at  his  formal  figure. 

"  Thou  mayest  believe  the  thing  that  is 
true,  although  there  is  a  sneer  on  thy  face, 
and  a  waggish  sparkle  in  thine  eye,  that 
con  trad  icteth  thv  words,'* 

"  I  don't  mean,  friend  Jonathan,  to  af- 
front you  (said  David),  because  you  are, 
I  hear,  a  charitable  man  to  the  poor,  and 
ought  to  be  respected ;  but  why  don't  you 
make  merry  sometimes,  as  we  do;  sing  and 

vol.  iv.  D 


50  OWEN  CASTLE  ; 

dance,   and  tell  funny  stories,  and  be  en- 
tertaining." 

"  Friend,  (said  he,  his  visage  becoming 
very  grave)  I  was  never  entertaining — but 
once." 

"  Well!  I  should  like  to  have  seen  and 
heard  you,  vastly,"  said  David. 

st  There  was  a  fire  in  my  native  village 
which  burned  down  the  poor  house  and 
many  dwellings.  I  gazed  on  the  flames 
with  great  sadness." 

"  You  should  have  run  and  helped 
to  put  them  out,"  impatiently  said 
David. 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE   HEROINE?         51 

"  The   hand  of  man  coo  Id  not  prevail, 
and  many  tenements  were  destroyed,  and 
the   women  and  children  ran  about  with 
scarce  any  covering.     Yea,  I  heard  their 
lamentations  over  the  ashes  of  their  goods 
and  dwellings  with  pity ;  my  breast  waxed 
into    sorrow,  and  I   turned    away.     The 
next    morning  I     gathered  together  my 
stores,    which    were    not  mighty,  but  a 
little   multiplies    when   charity  is  in   the 
breast    of  the     giver,    and    thankfulness 
abideth    with    those    that    receive ;    my 
brethren    did    help   my     willingness    by 
many  mites,  and  a  subscription  did  build 
anew    the    poor    habitations    that    were 
burned  to  the  ground.   In  my  fathers  barn 
I    did  spread   a    board   with    bread    and 
wholesome  food  for  many   days,  at  whose 
p2 


52  OWEN    CASTLE; 

bead  1  did  stand,  and  saw  the  hungry 
feed  ;  I  did  also  tell  parables  of  righteous- 
ness, and  did  sing  psalms,  and  was  merry, 
for  my  heart  was  cheered  by  the  orphans' 
and  widows'  tears  of  grateful  thanks.  I 
was  then  entertaining,  friend,  was  I  not?" 

"  You  were  indeed,  sir  ( said  David 
bowing),  and  I  wish  I  may  ever  be  as 
good  a  man." 

u  All  dat  very  well,  but  me  love  song 
and  dance- — no  harm  neither,"  cried  Chloe, 
skipping  lightly  over  the  marble  pave- 
ment of  the  hall ;  and  Lady  Sarah,  she 
like  dance  too." 

"  Yea,  now  thou  hast  said  it ;  she  hath 


OR,    WHICH    IS    THE  HEROINE?         53 

danced  unto  Belzebub's  fiddle,  until  he 
hath  led  her  astray.  Oh!  woman,  wo- 
man !"  he  gave  a  deep  sigh,  and  proceed- 
ed to  his  horse  that  was  in  waiting. 

"  This  is  an  old  horse,  sir/'  said  David, 
respectfully  giving  him  the  stirrup. 

"  Yea,  friend,  he  is  quiet,  and  troubleth 
me  with  no  viciousness.  We  are  old  ac- 
quaintances. He  was  a  foaL  when  I  was 
born,  and  has  been  now  forty-one  vears  in 
the  world.  He  is  not  without  faults ;  he 
stumbleth  like  unto  a  sinner,  over  nothing, 
and  were  it  not  for  a  check,  would  falL 
in  the  highway  of  danger." 

"  Why  don't  you  shoot  him,  sir*  and 

D3 


54  OWEN  castle; 

get  another ;  he  is  past  work,  has  scarce 
an  eye  to  see  with,  is  broken  winded, 
broken  knee'd,  and  no  manner  of  use, 
only  to  eat  his  provender.  If  he  was 
mine,  I  would  send  him  to  the  dogs." 

Jonathan  had  seated  himself  on  his 
abused  and  aged  beast ;  but  on  hearing 
David,  turned  with  a  comic  seriousness 
towards  him,  and  patting  the  neck  of  his 
old  horse,  said,  "  This  has  been  a  faithful 
servant  unto  me  for  many  years.  Put 
the  case  to  thyself,  friend;  wouldst  thou 
not  think  it  hard,  if  thou,  after  forty-one 
years  of  servitude,  was  to  hear  thy  master 
say,  '  David  is  now  past  labour,  and  only 
eateth  up  my  bread;  he  is  nearly  blind, 
lame,  and  is  plagued  with   asthma  and 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  55 

rheumatic  pains.  I  will  turn  him  away, 
and  he  may  go  to  the  dogs  ?'  Yea,  then 
wouldst  thou  feel  the  value  of  a  true 
friend,  that  in  thy  old  days  did  not  forget 
the  activity  of  thy  youth/'  so  saying,  he 
moved  slowly  off. 

David,  on  turning  into  the  hall,  was 
met  by  Winifred.  "  Oh!  David  (cried 
she),  I've  been  seeking  you  every  where. 
There  is  such  a  rumpus  above  stairs ; 
they  will  surely  kill  my  dear  sweet  Lady 
Fitzowen!"  She  then  proceeded  ot 
acquaint  him,  that  Lady  Fitzowen  had 
that  morning  left  Park  Lane,  and  that 
Sir  Matthew  had  come  in  haste  to  bring 
her  back.  "  There  he  is,  storming  at  my 
poor  lady,  and  she  is  crying,  and  such  a 
hubbub  as  I  never  heard." 
d  i 


This  was  a  true  account  of  what  was 
passing.  The  letters  Mrs.  Wallace  had 
maliciously  put  into  her  ladyship's  hands, 
had  discovered  a  system  of  treachery  that 
had  for  many  months  been  practising 
against  her,  and  now  completely  destroyed 
the  composure  she  had  laboured  to  ac- 
quire. The  sight  of  her  husband  was 
dreadful ;  his  cruel  treatment  and  newly- 
disclosed  villainy  rendered  him  and  his 
confederate,  Mr.  Maskall,  so  abhorrent  to 
her  eyes,  that  she  fled  in  a  moment  of 
suffering  and  distraction  from  his  pre- 
sence, and  sought  the  consoling  aid  of 
protecting  friendship. 

Mrs.  Wallace  left  the  house  to  seek  a 
new  abode,  enjoying  the  tumult  she  had 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  h*J 

raided,    and   the   disgrace   so   rash  &  step 
would  throw  upon  the  unhappy  truant. 

Sir  Matthew  soon  learnt  her  place  of 
shelter,  and  instantly  demanded  from 
Lord  Orkley  his  wife,  who  he  supposed 
had  seduced  her  from  her  obedience. 
His  lordship  sought  to  mitigate  his  anger, 
by  beseeching  his  patience,  and  declaring 
his  innocence  of  his  accusation ;  but 
every  remonstrance  was  useless.  Nothing 
could  a  May  the  torrent  of  passion  that 
flowed  from  his  lips.  He  spurned  all 
efforts  that  were  made  to  abate  his  wrath, 
and  in  a  peremptory  voice  cried,  "  By  a 
husband's  authority  I  com.nand  you,  Lady 
Fitzowen,  to  follow  me  home,  or  dread  an 
injured  lord's  fury." 

D5 


58  owen  castle; 

"  The  power  of  millions  should  not 
make  me  follow  one  step  the  man 
who  has  inhumanly  beguiled  me. — Oh! 
my  friends,  did  you  know  the  arts  that 
have  been  practised  against  me,  you  would 
compassionate  my  misery,"  cried  her  lady- 
ship, supplicating  their  pity  and  inter- 
ference. 

11  Is  it  thus,  madam  (said  the  baronet), 
that  you  fulfil  the  duties  of  a  wife  ?  To 
fly  your  home  and  abandon  your  husband. 
Are  you  aware  of  the  everlasting  blemish 
this  conduct  casts  upon  you  ?" 

"  I  had  been  content  (replied  she)  to 
have  borne  the  tyranny  you  have  ever 
exerted  towards  me  until  this  moment, 


OR,    WHICH    IS  THE    HEROINE?  59 

had  you  not  exposed  me  to  the  insidious 
addresses  of  your  wily  confidant ;  in  dis- 
believing my  assurances  and  avowed  dis- 
like of  his   villainy  ;    next  to  insult  me, 
by  forcing  into   my  presence   a   woman 
whom   of  all   others  in  the  world  I  had 
most  reason  to  hate,  as  the  combining  foe 
against  my  happiness  ;    the  enemy  of  my 
departed  aunt,  whose  injustice  drove  her 
her  to  a  prison,   and   finally   caused  her 
ever-lamented  death.     A  woman,   whose 
tainted  morals  and  depravity  have  brought 
her  to  the  level  of  the  vilest  of  her  sex,  and 
thrown  her  for  ever  from  the  notice  of  the 
virtuous.      Thus   it  was  you    performed 
your  oath  of  protector,  of  councellor,  of 
tender  companion. — Ask  your  heart,  Sir 
Matthew,  if  have  you  been  to  me  either  a 


dS 


60  oWEtt    CASft££ 

gentle  guardian  or  a  soothing  friend — ■ 
loving,  kind,  or  generous?  No,  heaven 
is  my  witness  (she  continued,  her  eyes 
turned  upwards  in  appealing  sorrow) 
you  have  not.  Think  you,  that  after 
reading  this,  and  this  (here  she  pointed  to 
the  letters  she  had  received),  I  can  ever 
look  on  you  again  ?  Have  you  not 
blasted  my  youth  with  never-ending  re- 
gret, and  crushed  in  the  very  moment  of 
coming  bliss,  my  long  promised  joys? 
Oh,  monster!  what  had  we  done  to  injure 
you,  that  you  should  relentlessly  doom  us 
to  perpetual  despair?1'  She  burst  into 
an  agony  of  tears,  and  pressed  the  letters 
to  her  bosom. 

Sir  Matthew,  irritated  at  her  just  com- 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?         6l 

plainings,  seized  her  arm,  and  forcing  her 
to  rise,  repeated  his  command  for  her 
to  return  home. 

Lord  Orkley  attempted  to  persuade  him 
to  desist. 

"  She  is  my  wife,  (cried  the  baronet, 
rage  flushing  in  his  eyes,  and  stamping 
madly  on  the  ground)  and  I'll  make  the 
proudest  here  feel  my  vengeance  who 
dares  to  impede  my  lawful  power." 

<;  Oh,  my  friends !  (said  she,)  am  I 
indeed  left  to  his  mercy.  Is  there  none 
who  will  save  me  from  tyranny,  cruelty, 
and  madness  r" 

Earl  Northerland  entered  the  drawing: 


62  OWEN  CASTLE  ; 

room  unannounced.  He  started  back  a  t 
the  affecting  scene  before  him,  and  gazed 
with  astonishment  on  the  pale  but  beau- 
tiful features  of  Lady  Fitzowen,  who  in 
an  attitude  of  entreaty  sought  to  interest 
her  beholders,  whose  hearts  were  with 
her  but  dare  not  oppose  a  husband's  right. 
"  Oh,  mother!  (she  exclaimed)  angelic 
spirit  of  the  murdered  Eliza  !  Deign  from 
thy  seraphic  realms  to  look  on  thy 
wretched  child,  and  snatch  her  to  thy 
heavenly  bosom,  where  she  may  repose  in 
eternal  peace.  Oh!  woe  to  my  fathers 
cruelty  !  Woe  to  the  hand  that  made  me  a 
destitute  orphan!" 

"  Enough,  enough  !  (cried  Lord  North- 
erland,  rushing  forwards,  and  clasping  her 


OR,     WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?         f3 

in  his  trembling  arms ;)  living  picture  of 
my  slaughtered,  loved  Eliza,  receive  a 
father,  a  repentant  father,  in  thy  filial 
embrace ! 

"  Father  P  said  the  astonished  object 
of  his  fond  endearments,  and  sinking  on 
her  knee,  reposed  her  beauteous  head 
upon  his  bosom,  who  overpowered  by  his 
strong  emotions,  had  also  dropped  upon 
his  knees,  and  in  dumb  transport  fer- 
vently pressed  her  to  his  beating  and 
parental  heart.. 

*  Child  !  my  child !"  "  My  father !  my 
father  P  were  for  many  moments  the 
only  words  that  escaped  the  kindred 
strangers ;    while  tears  of  joy  glistened  in 


64  OWEN    C^TLE; 

every  eye,  but  tjat  of  the  baronet :  who 
saw  the  4iie<  tng  of  a  repenant  parent 
and  £i suffering  daughter  wuhout  om-  smile 
of  plea  sure  or  tender  tear  of  sensibility. 
"  He  is  her  father,  (whisjiered  his  callous 
heart,)  but  he  cannot  take  her  from  my 
superior  hold" 

u  Image  of  my  sainted  Eliza!  to  thee 
will  I  endeavour  to  atone  for  the  wrongs 
she  meekly  sunk  under  f  said  ihe  earl, 
supporting  to  a  sofa  his  daughter,  who, 
drawing  a  miniature  from  her  bosom  com- 
pared it  for  an  instant  with  the  fondly 
beaming  countenance  before  her ;  then 
threw  her  arms  about  his  neck,  exclaim- 
ing, "  it  is,  it  is — my  father  !  and  1  am 
not  without  protection.  He  wdl  not 
again  desert  his  unhappy  child." 


OR,   WHICH    U   THE    HEROINE?  65 

u  Never,  my  suffering  innocent !  I 
know  the  story  of  your  life,  and  longed 
to  meet  your  duteous  embrace.  These 
amiable  ladies  last  night  divulged  the 
sorrows  of  my  child,  at  which  my  accusing 
heart  ached  with  compassion. " 

M  When  this  tedious  ceremony  is  over, 
(said  the  baronet  imperiously  regarding 
the  earl )  I  may  conduct  my  wife  to  her 
forsaken  home  P" 

"  Hard-hearted  man!  (returned  his 
lordship)  can  nothing  touch  your  flinty 
bosom  ?  Have  you  no  comprehension  of 
the  feelings  of  a  parent  at  this  trying 
moment.  The  ecstatic  blessing  of  enfold- 
ing  a  long   deserted  child    within   your 


66  owen  castle; 

arms,  can  never  be  known  to  you.  Ob- 
duratCy  selfish  and  perverse,  you  steal 
a  jewel  from  my  throbbing  heart  that  re- 
news the  vital  stream  within  my  veins, 
and  talisman-like,  charms  me  to  a  life 
I  had  loathed  for  years." 

Sir  Matthew  largely  expatiated  on  the 
elopement  of  his  wife,  and  proclaimed 
himself  the  injured  person,  and  swore  no 
earthly  consideration  should  persuade 
him  to  return  to  his  home  without 
her.'9 

"  Fear  not,  my  child,  ( said  Earl  North- 
erland)  a  father's  presence  shall  insure 
protection  and  indulgence  for  you. 
You  will    not  surely  refuse    to  admit  a 


OR,   WHICH  IS    THE   HEROINE  ?  6*7 

father  to  his  child"  continued  he,  ad- 
dressing Sir  Matthew,  who,  with  an  ill 
grace  acceded  to  his  wish  ;  and  Lady 
Fitzowen,  shielded  by  the  tender  autho- 
rity of  a  parent,  was  persuaded  to  return 
to  Park  Lane.  When  calmness  was  re_ 
stored  to  the  bosom  of  her  ladyship,  she 
made  known  her  provocations  for  flight ; 
she  then  gave  a  bundle  of  letters  into  her 
father's  hand,  and  after  having  read  them, 
implored  his  compassion  and  interference 
in  separating  her  from  a  man  who  had  so 
vilely  trapanned  her  into  marriage.  Earl 
Northerland  took  them  with  great  interest 
to  the  study,  and  with  a  melancholy 
curiosity  began  to  peruse  them. 


6&  owen  castle; 

"  My  adored  Grace, 

"  How  shall  I  word  a  letter 
that  will,  from  its  unexpected  appearance, 
cause  the  most  tumultuous  joy  in  your 
susceptible  bosom  ;  for  my  flattering  heart 
whispers  that  the  fate  of  your  ever  ardent 
lover  is  not  indifferent,  though  his  ab- 
sence has  been  tediously  long,  and  con- 
tending circumstances  of  no  trivial  nature 
have  combined  to  retard  his  desire  of  re- 
lieving the  anxiety  of  his  beloved.  I  fear 
the  papers  have  been  the  occasion  of  great 
distress  to  my  parents  and  yourself,  as  I 
understand  my  name  has  been  inserted 
among  the  killed,  in  a  dreadful  skirmish  ; 
an  occurrence  as  uncommon  as  cruel,  for 
the  returns  are  ever,  for  the  most  part, 
correct;    but  in    this    instance   there   is 


OR,  WHICH    IS  THE  HEROINE:  69 

much  excuse,  as  you  will  justly  allow,  on 
reading     my     miraculous      escape     from 
the    pangs   of  death,   for    the  unfounded 
insertion     In  the  attack  I,  with  my  com- 
pany, took   by   order  an  ambush  station  ; 
the    Americans  fought  desperately ";    our 
force   was    scattered,   yet  victory  was  on 
our  side.     I  was  covering  the  retreat  of  a 
party,    whose    triumphant    courage    had 
inspired  the  enemy  with  savage  rancour,  and 
who  endeavoured  to  cut  through  our  little 
body  of  resolute  resistance  with  ferocious 
vengeance;  but  we  maintained  our  ground 
with  dauntless  intrepidity,  and  our  troops 
-effectually    gained  the  day.     Those  who 
had  most  engaged  the  attention  of  their 
assailants,  were  butchered   in  a  shocking 
manner. 


70  OWEN    CASTLE; 

"  Several  of  my  bravest  brother  officers 
and  soldiers  fall,  covered  with  wounds, 
frightful  victims  of  British  valour.  Nor 
did  I  escape,  but  was  disabled  in  so  des- 
perate a  way,  as  to  bid  defiance  to  hope. 
I  was  secured  and  made  prisoner  by  the 
enemy,  and  languished  in  confinement  for 
about  two  months.  One  night,  when  all 
was  still,  I  heard  a  person  enter  my 
wretched  apartment,  and  approach  softly 
towards  my  bed,  and  a  female  voice,  in  the 
language  of  my  native  hills,  desired  me 
to  rise  and  put  on  a  dress  she  had  pro- 
cured, in  which  she  promised  my  escape. 
I  obeyed  her  with  doubtful  joy;  but 
being  weakened  by  severe  illness,  could 
not  dress  myself,  without  her  assistance! 
in  the  new  costume  that  she  presented. 


OR,  WHICH    IS  THE    HEROINE?  7l 

When  I  was  ready,  she  led  me  silently 
along  the  passages  of  the  prison,  when 
we  were  suddenly  met  by  a  man  bearing 
a  torch,  who  stopping  for  a  moment,  un- 
locked a  small  door,  and  eyeing  me  at- 
tentively, pushed  us  out,  and  barred  it 
on  the  inside.  My  companion  then  clasped 
her  hands  in  silent  gratitude,  and  bade 
me  quicken  my  speed.  We  ran  along  a 
dead  wall,  by  uncertain  star-light,  for  a 
considerable  distance  ;  when  she  suddenly 
stopped,  and  in  a  low  voice,  whispered 
the  word,  Maurice,  twice.  A  stout  figure 
then  joined  us,  who  on  opening  a  dark 
lanthorn  discovered  the  corse  of  a  sentry 
on  the  ground  ;  we  then  with  great  diffi- 
culty climbed  a  large  iron-gate,  and 
when  on  the  other  side  again  commenced 


^2  OWEN    CASTLE; 

our  running,  and  at  length  day-light 
found  us  within  the  lines  of  our  own  en- 
campment. 

"  In  my  brave  deliverers  I  recognized  a 
soldier  of  my  own  company,  and  his 
wife  a  Welch  woman.  When  free  from 
the  fear  of  pursuit,  she  explained  the 
means  by  which  she  had  so  fortunately  be- 
friended me  and  her  husband.  The  num- 
ber of  sick  in  the  prison  called  for  ad- 
ditional attendants;  she  had  petitioned  to 
be  admitted  to  nurse  her  husband  and  me; 
she  was  permitted  to  perform  this  duty, 
and  by  her  tender  care  restored  us  both 
to  liberty. 

"  The  prison  being  so  extremely  full,  the 


OR,    WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?  73 

good  woman  and  another  nurse,  a  nativer 
a  woman  of  a  very  masculine  appearance, 
were  obliged  to  sleep  in  an  outer  building. 
They  usually  departed  together  about 
twelve  o'clock  at  night,  and  were  received 
in  the  morning  as  soon  as  the  gate-keepe, 
was  ready  to  admit  them.  On  the  event- 
ful night,  my  deliverer  administered  a 
strong  portion  of  laudanum  to  her  female 
companion,  and  disguising  her  husband 
in  her  clothes,  conducted  him  safely  by 
the  door-keeper  and  sentries.  When 
secured  from  observation,  she  returned 
with  the  borrowed  clothes,  and  by  the 
time  the  midnight  watch  was  set,  again 
sallied  forth  with  me.  None  of  the  present 
guard  had  intelligence  of  her  being  before 
from  the  prison,  and  having  given  the 
vol.  tv.  E 


74  OWEN  CASTLE; 

countersign  which  she  had  overheard,  we 
escaped  to  the  iron  gate,  where  her  husband 
had  sprung  on  the  sentry,  and  to  secure 
our  safety,  plunged  a  sharp  knife  suddenly 
into  his  breast,  and  thus  vanquished  the 
only  remaining  obstacle  that  lay  across 
the  path  of  liberty.  When  my  reappear- 
ance was  known  to  the  commanding  officer* 
he  graciously  expressed  his  happiness  at 
my  return,  and  kindly  promised  to  re- 
commend me  for  promotion,  which  he 
was  pleased  to  say  I  greatly  merited. 
Maurice  O'Driscal,  the  soldier  who  aided 
my  emancipation,  was  a  corporal,  but 
for  his  service  to  me,  was  soon  made  a 
serjeant. 

U  Thus,  my  beloved  Grace,  I  was  restored 


OR,    WHICH    IS  THE  HEROINE  ?         'Jh 

to  the  anticipation  of  future  joys,  in 
again  meeting  thee.  Oh  my  adored!  this 
absence  has  been  in  love's  account,  six 
hundred  years,  but  will  soon  end,  as  I 
have  a  hope  of  gaining  leave  to  return  to 
England.  My  declining  health  demands 
rest,  for  I  have  wounds  that  none  but 
my  Grace  can  heal,  by  her  heavenly 
smiles  and  long  promised  hand,  which 
her  humanity  will  not  withhold  from 
her  faithful  soldier.  By  the  spring  I 
cherish  the  fond  expectation  of  holding  in 
my  arms  the  treasure  of  my  soul,  my 
beloved  Grace;  till  then,  adieu.  I  have 
written  to  my  dear  parents  by  the  same 
conveyance,  and  beg  that  you  will  bless 
me  with  a  letter  by  the  same  packet, 
which    they   will    dispatch  immediately, 

%  2 


76  OWEN  castle; 

that  I  may  have  the  cheering  stimulus 
and  contemplation,  that  my  love  and 
parents  are  enjoying  perfect  health,  and 
impatiently  anticipating  my  return.  May 
every  guardian  power  watch  over  and 
protect  my  adored,  until  I  can  shield,  by 
the  affectionate  tenderness  of  a  husband, 
your  every  hour  from  obtruding  care. 
Once  more,  farewell,  and  ever  believe  me 
to  be  your  faithful  and  ardent  lover, 

William  Murray." 

This  letter  arrived  at  Owen  Castle,  at 
the  very  time  Grace  was  at  the  wood-cut- 
ter's in  the  forest ;  Sir  Matthew  made  no 
scruple  of  opening  it,  and  was  astonished 
at  its  contents.  He  wrote  to  Mrs.  Wallace, 
who  assisted  in  arresting  the  aunt  of  the 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  7? 

helpless  girl,  and  sent  her  into  the  toil 
her  enemies  had  prepared.  This  was 
done  to  prevent  her  meeting  her  be- 
loved William,  and  it  succeeded  beyond 
their  most  sanguine  wishes. 

The  parents  of  Captain  Murray,  on 
hearing  the  sudden  marriage  of  their 
intended  daughter  with  Sir  Matthew, 
forbore  to  address  or  reproach  her;  con- 
ceiving her  to  be  unworthy  the  tender 
regard  of  their  son.  They  contented  them- 
selves in  expressing  their  displeasure  by 
a  silent  contempt,  while  the  innocent 
offender  blamed  them  for  unmerited  un- 
kindness :  Thus  was  she  kept  in  happy 
ignorance  of  the  existence  of  her  Wil- 
liam. 


E  3 


78  OWEN    castle; 

Captain  Murray  was  stung  to  the  heart 
at    having  received   no  answer  from   his 
love ;  jealousy  and  fear  took  possession   of 
his  breast  on  being  informed  by  his  mother 
(for  she  feared  the   true  statement  of  her 
conduct    would    have    too   powerful   an 
effect,)  that  Miss  Fitzbeauchamp's  attach- 
ment had  been  iveakened   by   so   long  an 
absence,    and     implored     him   to    forget 
her.     He   wrote  by  every  packet,  letters 
couched    in  the  tenderest    strains  of  re- 
proaching love,   complaining  of  the  delay, 
that  kept  him  still    in  America ;    none  of 
these  readied  Lady  Fitzowen's  hand,   but 
were    concealed   by   Sir    Matthew    with 
exulting  villainy. 

At  Plymouth,    where  he   had    arrived 


OR,    WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE.-  79 

within  the  last  month,  he  was  met  by 
Theobald  Raymond,  who  in  pity  broke 
the  marriage  to  him,  with  all  the  distres- 
ing  circumstances,  and  persuaded  him 
to  with:  jM  from  seeing  her,  as  the 
meeting  would  increase  her  misery,  and 
not  relieve  his  own.  He  buried  himself 
in  the  retirement  of  his  parent's  abode, 
and  lingered  near  the  castle,  the  spot  of 
love  and  despair,  In  the  dark  of  the  dewy 
eve  he  would  wander  round,  and  gaze  un- 
seen on  his  lost  Grace;  but  this  indulgence 
was  of  short  duration,  Sir  Matthew  had 
heard  of  hie  arrival,  and  dreading  their 
meeting,    hurried  his  victim    to    London. 

Mrs.  Wallace  had  been  shown  by  the 
baronet^  with  gratified  villainy,   the  secret- 


83  OWEN    CASTLE; 

eJ  number  of  the  wretched  lover's  letter?, 
who  exulted  with  him  in  the  victory  over 
his  youthful  rival. 

The  contemptuous  coldness  the  wrong- 
ed object  of  their  united  baseness  had  ex- 
pressed towards  her  at  her  unwelcome 
intrusion,  inspired  her  with  the  fiend-like 
desire  of  overthrowing  the  self-possession 
and  calm  resignation  of  her  ladyship,  by 
a  disclosure  of  the  treachery  carried  on. 
This  was  ample  vengeance ;  and  her  cor- 
rupt heart,  judging  by  its  own  impurity, 
prognosticated  the  speedy  fall  of  her  lady- 
ship's honour,  when  hatred  of  a  cruel 
husband  and  a  lover's  impetuosity  should 
combine  to  shake  her  virtuou*  resolves. 
But  the  wise  and  merciful  Disposer  of  all 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  81 

events  had  sent  a  father  to  sustain  his 
suffering  and  irritated  daughter  in  the 
pious  principles  she  had  imbibed,  and  to 
yield  a  duteous  obedience  to  his  directing 
voice. 

The     presence    of    Earl    Northerland 
taught  the  baronet  to  adopt  a   different 
mode  of  conduct  to  his  wife,  who,  graced 
by  high   birth  and   every  apppendage  of 
wealth,  was   an    ornament    that  shed  on 
his  name  the  brightest  lustre ;    and  she 
was  now  not  treated  altogether  with  the 
same    remorseless    brutality   as    the    de- 
fenceless unclaimed  orphan  Grace.     But 
the  change  he  made  in  his  behaviour  did 
not  move  the  settled  resolve  of  her  lady- 
ship, never  to  live  with  him  again,  and 


82  OWEN  CASTLE; 

she  hourly  beseeched  her  father  to  break 
the  galling  chains,  and  take  her  to  a  place 
where  she  might  mourn  over  her  wreck 
of  happiness.  He  soothingly  endea- 
voured to  console  her  affliction,  by  the 
constant  intercourse  of  her  friends,  but 
could  not  bring  himself  to  comply  with 
her  request  of  an  immediate  separation, 
which  would  cast  a  blemish  on  his  name. 
He  procured  leave  of  Sir  Matthew  to  re- 
move her  for  a  short  time  to  his  own 
house,  when  persuasion  and  parental  ad- 
vice might  reconcile  them  in  future  har- 
mony. 

Sir  Matthew  consented  to  this  arrange- 
ment; and  likewise  dismissed  the  insidi- 
ous Maskall  from  his  presence. 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?  S3 

The  delicate  constitution  of  her  lady- 
ship was  much  injured  by  her  secret  re- 
gret and  undermining  grief.  The  recent 
ecclaircissement  had  powerfully  shook  her 
frame,  and  the  pleasure  of  finding  her 
father,  was  overcast  by  the  sorrows  of  her 
lover  and  her  own  despair.  She  sunk 
beneath  the  conflict,  and  fell  ill,  danger- 
ously ill,  soon  after  her  removal  to  her 
father's. 

Lord  Merioneth's  passion  for  Mrs. 
Wallace  was  of  a  very  transient  duration. 
He  saw  she  was  a  woman  of  no  principle; . 
and  having  heard  an  account  of  her  for- 
mer life  from  Lord  Orminstead,  who,  like 
a  liberal  self-confessed  seducer,  had  di- 
vulged the  history  of  her  first  transgres- 
e6 


84  owen  castle; 

sion  from  the  path  of  rectitude,  with  the 
many   gallantries    she    had    indulged    in 
when  mistress  to  the  West  Indian.     Thus 
armed  against  her  dangerous  allurements, 
he  emerged  from  her  infatuations  with  a 
thorough  disgust,  and  timely  saved  him- 
self from  the  artful   snare  she  had  laid. 
Thus  do  we  see,  that  unless  the  mind  of 
man  be  entirely  vitiated,  he  will  turn  from 
the  object  where  esteem  adds  not  a  charm 
to  passion.     Lord  Orkley  had  been   in- 
formed of  his  visits  to  Mrs.  Wallace,  and 
for  that  insult  to  his  daughter,  dismissed 
him   from  any  further  attendance  on  her. 
This  cut   (to  use  a  fashionable  term  for 
breaking    off  a  connexion)    was  felt   se- 
verely by  Lord  Merioneth  ;   not   that  his 
affection  for  Omphale  was  of  a  nature  to 


OR,    WHICH    IS   THE    HEROINE?         85 

inflict  much  pain  at  being  rejected  by 
her,  but  her  alliance  was  much  to  be  de- 
sired, as  the  contiguity  of  her  estates 
would  be  admirable,  if  inserted  in  his 
rent-roll.  He  likewise  respected  her 
amiable  disposition,  and  though  he  could 
not  divine  the  real  foundation  for  the  in- 
nuendos  Mrs.  Wallace  had  dropped  with 
regard  to  a  former  attachment,  he  felt 
assured  they  were  as  untrue  as  gross. 
He  made  every  concession  to  Lord  Ork- 
ley,  but  without  moving  him  to  forgive- 
ness, and  chagrined  as  he  was  by  his  ex- 
pectations being  disappointed,  he  bore  it 
as  a  gentleman,  and  consoled  himself  by 
a  fresh  pursuit  of  pleasure.  He  was  not 
an  every  day  character,  yet  not  striking  in 
his  propensities.     He  had  received  lessons, 


86  OWEN   CASTLE; 

but  was  not  in  love  with  the  science  of 
pugilism.       He   drove  four-in-hand,    but 
was   not  a  coachman   in  appearance,  lan- 
guage,  or  vulgarity.     He  attended  New- 
market races,  but  was   no  jockey.     The 
sports  of  the  field  were   his  greatest  de- 
light; this  did  not  lessen  his  dignity,  for 
his   pride    of    ancestry    was    great ;    and 
though  weak  and    unstable  in   his  judg- 
ment   and    resolutions,    his    proceedings 
never  blemished  his  origin.     He  was  good 
from  habit,  and  desisted  from  vice  because 
he    had    no    satisfaction     in    its    pursuit. 
This  may  appear  an  insipid  character, from 
want  of  spirit,  yet  it  is  natural,  and  I  ve- 
rily believe,  more  productive   of  felicity 
than    one   more  ardent.      Moderation  is 
the     grand     prop    of    substantial    hap- 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  8/ 

piness,    and   blest    is   he   who  is  so  en- 
dowed. 

Rufus  Marmaduke  rejoiced  that  he  wras 
saved  the  anguish  of  having  supplanted 
a  dearly  valued  friend  ;  he  participated 
in  the  misery  of  the  devoted  pair,  and  had 
his  nuptial  arrangements  permitted,  would 
have  flown  to  embrace  his  friend,  and 
openly  confessed  how  near  he  had  been 
robbing  him  of  his  beloved  Grace,  whose 
melancholy  sufferings  made  his  heart 
bleed  with  commiseration.  He  wrote  a 
letter  breathing  the  true  state  of  his 
heart,  what  it  had  been,  and  what  it 
was;  implored  the  renewal  of  his  friend- 
ship, and  expatiated  on  the  supreme  wis- 
dom of  his  bountiful   Creator,  who  had 


88  owen  castle; 

saved  him  the  agony  of  destroying  the 
felicity  of  his  early  and  beloved  friend ; 
yet,  in  the  midst  of  his  repining,  had 
provided  a  consoling  partner,  whose  vir- 
tue and  possessions  were  more  than  his  tur- 
bulent opposition  had  merited,  or  wished 
to  obtain.  He  abjured  his  former  errors, 
and  longed  by  the  most  exemplary  con- 
duct as  a  clergyman,  a  husband,  and  a 
man,  to  wash  out  their  remembrance  and 
effects. 

Captain  Murray  hastened  to  London, 
eager  to  embrace  the  brother  of  his  affec- 
tion, and  pour  into  his  sympathetic 
breast  the  grief  that  festered  in  his  own. 

It  is  with  reluctance  that  I  record  the 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  SQ 

progress  of  vice  in  tracing  the  steps  of 
Mrs.  Wallace,  who  foiled  in  her  designs 
on  Lord  Merioneth,  had  accepted  the 
protection  of  a  Mr.  Egerton,  a  reputed 
miser  in  every  thing,  but  where  his  own 
gratifications  were  to  be  consulted.  He 
was  above  fifty,  unmarried,  and  master 
of  immense  wealth.  The  only  relatives  of 
this  singular  man,  were  a  sister  and  her 
five  orphan  children,  the  eldest  a  youth 
of  nineteen,  possessing  talents  of  a  very 
superior  order.  The  narrow  income  of  his 
mother,  was  with  the  most  rigid  economy 
not  more  than  enough  to  furnish  their 
frugal  meals.  The  youth  endeavoured  to 
lighten  the  burden  of  his  parent  by  using 
the  scientific  excellence  he  had  acquired 
in  painting,  and  he  laboured  with  unceas- 


§0  OWEN  castle; 

ing  industry  to  assist  his  mother.  Hearing 
that  his  uncle  was  relaxing  in  his  rigid 
parsimony,  he  ventured  to  solicit  his 
remembrance  of  a  sister  and  her  helpless 
orphans,  all  of  too  tender  an  age  to 
afford  by  their  efforts,  the  assistance  she 
required, 

Mrs.  Wallace  saw  the  suppliant  for 
Mr.  Egerton's  bounty ;  she  was  struck 
with  his  person  and  address,  and  readily 
promised  to  befriend  his  cause :  she  suc- 
ceeded so  well  as  to  obtain  a  small  sum 
of  money  for  their  immediate  relief,  and 
indicated  her  hopes  of  softening  the 
brother  in  his  mother's  favour.  Shepressed 
his  frequent  visits  with  all  the  winning 
beauty  she  was  mistres  of,  and  was  regard- 


OR,    WHICH    IS    THE  HEROINE  ?       $1 

ed  by  him  as  the  benefactress  of  himself 
and  family.  Every  hour  stolen  from  labour 
was  given  to  her  society,  which  the  youth 
thought  well  repaid  by  her  seductive 
smiles.  Intoxicated  by  her  flattering 
favours,  and  poisoned  by  the  cup  of  dissipa- 
tion she  presented  to  his  lips,  he  languished 
for  the  wealth  which  at  his  uncle's  death 
would  give  him  power  to  indulge  the 
taste  for  expeuce  and  pleasure  he  had  so 
suddenly  imbibed. 

One  evening,  while  elevated  with  wine, 
and  softened  by  the  condescending  caresses 
of  his  artful  but  bewitching  companion, 
he  exclaimed,  "  Why!  Oh,  why!  ami 
thus  poor  and  powerless,  when  blest  with 
the  enchanting  smiles  of  my  Arpasia." 


92  oaven  castle; 

u  You  have  chosen  the  path  strewed 
with  thorns,  and  left  the  flowery  road  of 
pleasure  for  the  empty  reward  of  con- 
scious integrity,  (replied  she)  I  have  laid 
before  you,  the  way  to  wealth  and  power, 
yet  you  shrink  from  its  pursuit.  Though 
goaded  by  penury,  you  tremble  to  seize 
what  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  must 
be  yours.  Why  should  you  sit  down  in 
contented  wretchedness,  and  see  your 
mother  pine  in  poverty  and  contempt, 
and  not  force  the  miser  to  administer 
to  their  wrants  and  your  enjoyments?  Is 
it  not  a  virtue  to  take  from  the  overflow- 
ing coffers  of  the  rich,  that  which  would 
otherwise  rust  within  their  iron  hold,  and 
distribute  it  to  the  poor?  Believe  me,  in 
the  sight  of  heaven  it  would  be  an  act  of 
charity."— Thus  she  argued. 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  f         93 

"  But  in  the  sight  of  man,"  said  the 
irresolute  youth. 

"  When  escaped  from  his  vengeance 
you  might  laugh  at  his  opinion.  It  is  not 
the  shire  love  of  equity  that  urges  the 
pursuit  of  justice,  but  avarice,  that  insa- 
tiate monster  of  the  miser's  soul.  Is  it  not 
nobler  to  make  the  affluent  spare  from 
their  luxury,  a  few  hundreds,  than  to  rob 
or  cheat  a  striving  industurous  tradesman, 
who  furnishes  your  miserable  board  with 
bread,  by  not  discharging  his  honest  de- 
mand:-" 

"  Most  true,  most  true,"  said  her  weak 
hearer. 


94  owen  castle; 

"  I  see,    (cried   she,  disdain  lightening 
from  her  eye,  while  a  dimpled  smile  graced 
her  beautiful  mouth)  you   want  the  cou- 
rage to  assert  your  right,  and  be  the  saviour 
of  your  family.     You  fear  detection,  not 
the  deed.   Shame!  Shake  off  this  sluggish 
dread  of  shadeless  doubt,  and  by  a  brave 
and  hazardous  essay,  force  the  sordid  to  be 
just."  Thus  did  she  insidiously  sap  the 
unstable  morality  and  virtue  of  a    heart 
her  baneful  loveliness  had  fettered  to  her 
will. 

He  left  her  with  a  mind  filled  with 
important,  but  confused  schemes  for  pro- 
curing the  means  to  perpetrate  a  daring 
crime,  and  secure  her  blandishments.  He 
had  not  strength   of  mind  to  controvert 


OR,    WHICH    IS   THE  HEROINE  ?         £5 

her      logical     sophistry,      but    received, 
believed  and  was  undone* 

The  simple  Winifred  had  received  from 
Earl  Northerland  a  wedding  portion  for 
her  affection  to  his  daughter,  and  with 
her  husband,  the  equally  honest  David, 
removed  to  his  lordship's  residence,  again 
to  wait  upon  their  beloved   mistress. 

As  Winifred  was  returning  one  morning 
from  the  city,  from  executing  some  busi- 
ness of  her  own,  she  met  in  the  Strand  a 
woman  in  whom  she  recognised  a  distant 
relation,  and  accosting  her  in  Welch,  was 
confirmed  in  the  assurance.  "  Oh  !  who 
would  have  thought  to  have  seen  you, 
Winny,  in  this  big  town  Y* 


J)6  OWEN  CASTLE  ; 

"  And  who  would  have  thought  to  have 
seen  you,  Taffline,  as  you  was  gone,  my 
mam  said  nobody  knowed  where.  I  was 
but  a  little  thing  when  you  went  away  from 
Abergavenny,  and  was  taken  into  Breck- 
nockshire very  soon  after,  by  my  aunt 
Lewellyn,  yet  I  remember  your  kissing 
me  and  crying,  and  saying  you  was 
going  to  a  grand  place  with  your  mistress.'* 

te  Ah!  (said  Taffline,)  that  was  a  dread- 
ful journey  to  be  sure,  I  shall  never 
forget  the  first  night  I  set  foot  in  this 
great  town,  and  the  tribulations  and  dis- 
asters  I  met  with ;  and  the  travels  I've 
had  since  by  sea  and  dry  land,  will  make 
you  bless  yourself  at  the  hearing  of  them, 
for  I  married  a  soldier,  one  Maurice  O* 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROKIEi  9/ 

Driscal,  an  Irishman,  and  as  fine  a  fighter 
and  as  good  a  husband  as  any,  any- 
where, lie  got  leave  to  come  to  England 
with  a  Captain  Murray,  the  best  of  officers 
and  men." 

"Bless  us!  (cried  Winifred,)  if  that 
is'ent  the  dear  Mr.  Murray,  as  we  thought 
was  dead,  sweetheart  to  Miss  Fitzbeau- 
champ." 

u  Who  /"  exclaimed  Taffline,  with  sur- 
prise and  anxiety. 

t*  My  mistress,  Miss  Grace  Fitzbeau- 
champ  that  ivas,  now  Lady  Fitzowen." 

"Then    she   was  not  lost!  Where  is 
vol.' iv,  F 


$S  OWEN    CASTLE; 

her  mother,  my  dear  mistress,  Madam 
Eliza  Fitzbeauchamp,"  cried  TafBine, 
tears  starting  in  her  eyes,  and  hope  speak- 
ing in  each  trembling  nerve, 

"  Oh  laws!  she  has  been  dead  years 
back,  when  her  ladyship  was  quite  a 
young  thing,  as  I  have  been  told,  for  it 
was'ent  my  place  to  ask  questions," 

"  Where  did  she  die?' 

"  In  this  very  place,  I  believe  ;  I  heard 
Madam  Milbourne  say,  that  she  died  for 
the  loss  of  her  son,  as  was  stolen,  for 
there  was  never  any  account  of  him." 

"  Oh !  my    dear,    dear    lady !   I    have 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?  99 

been  the  death  of  her,  (cried  Taffline, 
bursting  into  tears,)  I  had  master  George 
in  my  arms  when, — but  I  can't  tell  you 
now,  Winny,  my  heart  is  too  full ;  I  was 
a  simple  Welch  girl,  just  from  the  hills, 
and  knowed  nothing  of  London  ways. 
Oh  !  my  beautiful  baby,  my  sweet  master 
George." 

"Miss  Grace,  I  mean  her  ladyship,  is 
very  grand  now,  her  father  is  an  Earl, 
but  she's  so  sick,  I  fear  she  won't  live,  for 
all  the  fine  fathers  in  the  world." 

"  Sick !  oh,  take  me  to  her,"  cried 
Taffline,  "  I  can't  rest  another  moment 
without  seeing  her." 

F  2 


100  OWEN    CASTLE  ; 

Winifred  conducted  her  to  Earl  Nor- 
therland,  and  after  preparing  her  mistress 
to  see  her,  brought  Taffline  into  her  pre- 
sence. 

She  had  heard  at  full  the  particulars 
previous  to  her  mother's  death ;  but  no 
trace  had  ever  been  found  of  her  servant 
or  child  ;  anxious  to  interrogate  Taffline, 
and  hoping  her  account  might  illustrate 
the  mystery  of  her  brother's  disappearance, 
she  sent  for  the  earl,  who  listened  with 
his  daughter  to  her  simple  narration, 
which  was  as  follows. 


OR,  WHICH    IS  THE  HEROINE?  101 


CHAP.   XXXIV. 


VV  HEN  my  lady  with  little  Miss  Grace, 
in  her  clear  arms,  bid  me  follow  her  with 
Master  George,  after  leaving  the  coach  I 
went  along  pretty  well,  but  turning  to 
look  at  a  glass  shop  which  mightily 
pleased  Master  George,  and  to  tell  truth 
your  honour  I  was  as  foolish  as  the  baby  I 
had  in  my  arms,  for  I  stood  staring  in  at 
the  window  for  a  good  five  minutes,  when 
I  bethought  me,  and  set  off  as  fast  as  the 
folks  jostling  would  let  me,  down   a  long 

F  3 


102  OWEN     CASTLE; 

street,  but  I  could  not  see  a  sign  of  my 
mistress,  look  which  way  I  would ;  so  I 
asked  a  woman  that  I  met  where  the 
borough  was,  and  a  Mr.  Stewart  lived, 
in  as  good  English  as  I  could  (for  I  never 
spoke  any  thing  but  Welch  in  my  own 
home.)  but  she  laughed,  and  said  she 
did'ent  understand  gibberish  Welch. 
Well,  I  went  further  and  further,  till  I 
thought  I  was  ready  to  die  with  weariness, 
when  I  took  heart  and  asked  a  civil 
looking  young  man  the  same  question  ; 
he  at  last  came  to  understand  me,  and 
said,  I  had  best  make  my  way  back  to 
the  inn  I  came  to,  because  he  said,  the 
lady  might  send  there  to  enquire  for  me. 

"  And  did  you  ?"  said  the  earL 


OK,  WHICH  rS  THE  HEROINE?        103 

u  Yes,  your  lordship's  honour,  I  went 
as  he  told  me,  staight  hack  again,  but 
could  not  call  to  mind  the  sign  as  was 
right,  but  asked  for  the  blackymoor's 
head." 

"The  Saracen's  head,  you  mean?" 
said  the  earl. 

"  Ah,  my  lord  !  if  I  had  the  sense  of 
a  goose,  I  might  have  remembered  that, 
but  only  just  had  a  glimpse  of  the  sign 
by  lamp-light,  and  to  my  thinking  it  was 
as  black  and  ugly  a  face,  as  any  blacka- 
moor's in  the  world." 

"  To  the  point,  woman,"  cried  the  earl,, 
impatiently. 

F4 


104  OWEN    CASTLE; 

"  Yes,  your  honour,  the  point  is  com- 
ing ;  so  I  travelled  a  great  many  streets, 
and  came  to  a  lane,  a  very  loathsome 
place  to  be  sure  it  was ;  but  I  thought 
to  myself  it  might  be  the  back  door,  as 
I  was  going  round  to;  but  law!  I  was 
a  weary  way  off  from  the  Samaritine's 
head,  as  I  afterwards  found.  But  I  went 
in,  and  saw  a  parcel  of  soldiers  and  re- 
cruits drinking  round  the  kitchen  fire; 
which  scared  me ;  for  your  honour,  I 
was  afeard  of  a  red  jacket  then,  though 
I  have  since  seen  a  deal  of  service  in 
their  company.  Well,  I  was  sadly  vexed 
and  fell  a  crying,  and  so  did  little  George, 
for  he  was  hungry,  and  wanted  to  go  to 
his  mamma." 

The  earl  struck  his  forehead  in  painful 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?         1  0 J 

recollection  of  the  desertion  of  his  inno- 
cents, and  said,  "  Woman,  go  on  in  your 
story  without  comment,  or  animadversion, 
or  you  will  drive  me  mad.,, 

"  I  am  sure  your  lordship's  worship,  I 
don't  mean  to  be  tedious,  but  it  is  a 
round  about  story  ;  and  twenty  years  ago 
requires  a  good  head  piece,  to  recollect 
what's  gone  so  long  back  ;  but  while  I 
was  crying,  who  should  jump  up  from  the 
fireside,  but  the  very  Irishman  who  di- 
rected my  mistress  to  Mr.  Stewart's, 
when  hur  was  in  the  coach.  He  was  very 
kind  indeed,  and  civil,  and  gave  me  some 
bread  and  cheese  and  ale  ;  and  master 
George  took  greatly  to  him,  and  I  told 
him  how  I  had  lost  my  mistress  ;  and  he 
F5 


106  OWEN    CASTLE; 

said,  c  I  must  make  myself  easy,  and  he 
would  take  me  to  her  in  the  morning,  for 
it  was  too  late  that  night ;  and  was  as 
comfortable,  and  mannerful  as  never  was. 
And  he  could  understand  my  talk,  though 
nobody  else  did,  for  Irish  and  Welsh  is  a 
deal  alike,   when  folks   mind  of  it." 

"  But  the  result,  the  result"  said  his 
lordship, 

"  Dear  a  me  !  your  honour,  there  was 
no  insult  at  all,  for  he  was  as  modesty, 
and  as  pretty  in  behaviour  as  any  body 
could  be.  As  for  what  they  say  of  Irish- 
men being  so  bold,  they  love  bashfulness 
and  wouldn't  insult  a  virtuous  young 
woman,  half  so  soon  as  another  haram 
skarum  rantipole." 


OR,    WHICH    IS    THE  HEROINE?      10? 

"  Well,  well,  did  you  return  in  the 
morning  t" 

"  I'll  tell  your  honour.  I  sleeped  with 
the  servant  of  the  house,  and  with 
master  George,  who  cried  all  night  long 
for  his  mamma ;  and  I  wanted  Mr, 
Maurice  o'Driscal  to  go  with  me  early 
in  the  morning  to  find  my  lady.  But 
laws!  I  found  out  he  had  listed  for  a 
soldier,  and  was  going  to  Deptford  to  he 
sworn  in ;  and  was  soon  to  go  a  great 
way  beyond  seas  ;  he  vowed  he  was  my 
true  lover,  and  said  he  would  not  part 
with  me,  aad  if  I  would  go  to  Dep.ford 
he  would  marry  me  and  take  the  sweet 
boy  to  his  mamma,  and  I  should  see 
foreign  parts.'* 

f6 


108  OWEN    CASTLE; 

'*  And  you  consented,veagerly  demanded 
the    earl,    "  and     took     my    child   with 

you  t 

"  I   was  young  and  simple,  and  Mr. 
O'Briscal  was  very  smart  in  his  soldier's 
clothes.      He  was  so  kind  and  civil.,  and 
the    only    person    I    could     depend     on 
smongst   strangers.      But  I    wasent   in   a 
hurry  to  be    married.       No,    I    said   I'd 
ask  my   mistresses  leave  first ;   for  I    was 
in  great  trouble  about  her,    your  honour, 
for  all  I  was  so  taken  with  Mr,  O'Driscal ; 
so  he  good  soul  consented,  and  away  we 
went  to  Deptford  in  a  coach.     He  went 
to  the  officer,  while  I  took  a  walk  in  the 
dock  yard  with   master   George ;   we   had 
been  there  about  an  hour,  when  I  heard 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE?        109 

a  drum  beat,  and  so  I  ran-  away  to  see 
what  it  was,  like  a  giddy  mad  creature 
as  I  was,  and  left  master  George  playing 
amongst  the  timber." 

"  Well,  woman !  tell  me  what  became 
of  my  child,"  cried  the  earl,  his  feelings 
wound  up  to  the  highest  pitch  of  fear  and 
anxiety. 

u  I  don't  know,  your  honour  ;  for  when 
I  and  O'Driscal  came  back  to  seek  him 
he  was  gone,  and  nobody  knew  where.  I 
hope  your  honour  won't  transport  me, 
for  I  was  young  and  giddy,  and  as  wild  as 
the  hare  that  runs  over  the  mountains/' 
said  Taffline,  bursting  into  tears,  and  throw- 
ing herself  at  Earl  Northerland's  feet. 


110  OWEN    CASTLE; 

"  Enough  (said  the  e3rl,  struggling  for 
composure,  and  lifting  her  up)  he  was 
drowned,  I  suppose." 

"  No,  your  honour;  for  there  was  no- 
water  nigh  enough  for  him  to  toddle  in  ; 
indeed,  indeed,  there  wasn't." 

"  Did  you  make  no  inquiry  for  my  lost 
boy?- 

"  Oh,  yes,  your  honour.  O'Driscal 
inquired  ofeverv  body,  but  all  to  no  use; 
and  then  he  said,  1  should  be  transported 
for  child- stealing,  if  I  went  to  my  mistress 
without  poor  little  m<.srer  George,  which 
frightened  me  greatly,  and  I  was  nearly 
out  my  mind  with  sorrow  and  grief,  and 


OR,   WHICH    IS   THE    HEROINE?         Ill 

did  know  what  to  do;  but  at  last,  we  gave 
up  asking  and  looking  about,  for  there 
was  no  tidings  of  him.  So  G'Driscal  said, 
if  I  wanted  to  save  my  life,  I  must  list  as 
well  as  he,  and  go  to  soldiering;  and  so 
we  were  married,  your  honour,  for  I  dare 
not  look  my  mistress  in  the  face  when  I 
had  lost  her  darling  boy ;  and  so  J  went 
with  my  husband  to  foreign  parts,  and 
great  trouble  and  distress  I've  had.  About 
two  years  ago,  my  husband  went  to  Ame- 
rica, and  there  I  had  the  good  luck  to  be 
of  service  to  Captain  Murray,  your  ho- 
nour, and  my  husband  is  a  serjeltnt  in  the 
same  regiment,  and  is  come  to  London, 
to  go  to  Ireland  to  see  his  loving  rela- 
tions. But  I  hope  your  honour  will  be 
merciful,  and  not  transport  me,  for  I  have 


112  OWEN  CASTLE; 

told  you  the  true  and  lawful  matter,  as  I 
am  a  living  christian  woman.  When  I 
heard  of  the  death  of  my  sweet  and  hand- 
some lady  (to  be  sure,  you,  madam,  my 
lady,  was  then  a  little  babe,  but  you  are 
as  like  her  now  as  two  roses  on  the  same 
stem)  but  when  I  heard  of  her  dying  of 
of  grief  all  along  of  me,  my  heart  was 
quite  drawn  across  with  repentance  and 
sorrow  ;  so  I  hope  your  honour,  for  the 
sake  of  my  three  children,  you  won't  take 
the  law  of  me,"  cried  she,  supplicating  his 
forbearance  and  forgiveness. 

"  You  have  nothing  to  fear  from  me, 
woman  (said  the  earl)  ;  I  am  the  princi- 
pal cause  of  all  the  distress  that  hangs  on 
myself  and  children.     Still  there  is  a  pro- 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE?      113 

bability  he  may  yet  be  living,"  continued 
he,  faintly  smiling  at  the  hope  of  clasping 
him  to  his  bosom. 

"  Ah!  indeed,  your  honour,  and  so  he 
may;  and  if  I  was  to  see  him,  I  should 
know  him  amongst  a  thousand,  if  he  was 
as  tall  as  the  monument  and  as  big  as  a 
church,  for  he  must  be  a  fine  youth  now. 
Aye  (continued  she),  he  must  be  three- 
and-twenty  to-day,  for  he  was  just  three 
years  old  when  I  had  the  misfortune  to 
lose  him,  and  that  is  twenty  years  ago." 

H  How  should  you  know  him  ?"  de- 
manded the  earl,  ready  to  catch  at  the 
most  slender  clue  to  the  discovery  of  his 
son. 


114  OWEN    CASTLE; 

"  By  something  very  particular/'  cried 
*he,  sagaciously  tossing  her  head. 

"  A  mark  ?*  said  his  lordship. 

"  No,  your  honour,  no  natural  mark  i 
but  you'll  be  angry  if  I  tell  you." 

ic  If  you  do  not  wish  to  create  my  dis- 
pleasure, woman,  I  charge  you  instantly 
to  divulge  your  knowledge,  how  you 
should  know  my  son,  should  you  ever 
meet  him  r"  said  the  earl,  in  a  serious 
tone  and  frowning  aspect,  which  greatly 
alarmed  Taffline,  who  tremblingly  re- 
turned— 

u  Why,  as  my  husband  and  another- 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?       1  !£► 

soldier  were  marking  their  arms  with 
gunpowder,  your  honour,  the  night  be- 
fore we  went  to  Deptford,  master  George 
was  sitting  on  his  knee,  and  seemed  vastly 
pleased  at  the  pretty  marks,  and  my  hus- 
band said,  he  was  a  fine  little  fellow,  and 
fit  for  a  soldier  ;  so,  your  honour,  don't 
be  angry,  but  he  marked  his  little  fat 
shoulder  with  a  small  crown,  done  with  a 
needle  and  gunpowder;  which  vexed  me 
sadly,  for  I  know'd  how  my  mistress 
would  take  me  to  task  ;  so  I  tried  to  wash 
it  off,  but  I  could  not,  and  Maurice 
O'Driscal  said,  he  would  surely  carry  it 
to  the  grave  with  him." 

"  It  was  the  merciful  ordinance  of  hea- 
ven, who  foresaw  that  lie  would  be  cast 


Il6  OWEN  CASTLE  ; 

upon  the  world  defenceless  and  unknown, 
who  inspired  your  husband  with  the 
whim  of  marking  the  forlorn  innocent. 
Yes,  yes — by  that  I  may  yet  trace  him, 
may  yet  find  a  son." 

ct  I  hope  your  honour  is  not  offended, 
indeed  he  meant  no  harm  (said  Taffline)  ; 
for  Maurice  G'Driscal  is  the  best  of  fa- 
thers, and  always  speaks  with  sorrow  for 
the  dear  babe's  loss." 

ci  Say  no  more  (said  the  earl),  I  am  not 
offended,  but  on  the  contrary,  well  pleased 
at  the  glimmerings  of  hope  your  informa- 
tion has  given.  Let  me  know  where  you 
are  to  be  found,  and  how  long  you  stay 
in  England." 


OR,  WHICH    IS    THE  HEROINE?        l\^ 

<c  My  husband  is  in  the  same  house 
with  Captaim  Murray,  your  honour.  He 
loves  him  dearly,  and  who  would  not,  for 
he  is  the  best  of  men  and  gentlemen  f 

Lady  Fitzowen  heaved  a  profound 
sigh. 

"  He  lodges  for  the  present,  your 
honour,  in  Albemarle-street,  and  I  and 
my  husband  wait  on  him.  He  went  to 
see  his  friends  in  Wale?,  and  was  there 
six  weeks,  and  only  returned  the  begin- 
ning  of  this  week." 

*;  Good  heaven!  (exclaimed  her  lady- 
ship)  was  he  then  so  near  mel  Now  I  see 
why  I  was  hurried  to  tawn.    Oh  !  my  lord 


118  OWEN   CASTLE; 

and  father!  What   does  he  think  of  his 
wretched  Grace  ?" 

Cf  Good  lack!  (cried  Taffline,  you  are 
the  beautiful  lady  he  is  so  melancholy 
about.  Oh !  if  you  could  see  him,  he  is  one 
of  the  unhappiest  gentlemen  in  the  king- 
dom." 

The  earl  fearing  the  effect  her  commu- 
nication might  have  on  his  debilitated 
daughter,  ordered  Winifred  to  take  her 
to  the  housekeeper's  room,  and  there  en- 
tertain her,  and  to  make  her  and  her 
husband  welcome  whenever  they  came  : 
he  then  gave  her  a  handsome  present,  and 
bid  her  tell  her  husband  he  would  endea- 
vour to  serve  him,  and  not  to  leave  town 


OR,   WHICH  IS    THE   HEROINE  ?         1  Ig| 

without  seeing  him  ;  he  then  embraced 
his  drooping  daughter  and  -left  the  apart- 
ment. 

"  Tell  me,"  faintly  cried  her  ladyship, 
u  tell  me,  Taffline,  how  does  Captain 
Murray  look,  is  he  in  health?" 

"  Bless  you,  madam/'  answered  Taf- 
fline,  her  eyes  tilling  with  tears,  "  how  like 
your  voice  and  face  is,  to  your  dear 
mother's  ;  when  she  was  in  trouble,  she 
would  look  just,  aye,  just  as  you  do  now. 
Her  ladyship  repeated  her  question.  As  to 
his  health,  it  is  but  middling,  and  he  looks 
quite  pale  ;  I  thought  to  be  sure  his  com- 
ing to  England  would  have  done  him  great 
service,  but  it  seems  it  is  quite  oth  erwise> 


120  OWES  castle; 

He  has    a   handsome    young   gentleman 
constantly  with  him, one  Mr.  Marmaduke, 
I  think,   for  my  husband  had  his  card  in 
his  hand.  One   day  I  heard  him  tell  Mr, 
Marmaduke,  my   dear  young  lady,  that 
he    had  seen  the    martyred  angel  when 
she   east  suspected  it,  and  could  read   in 
her  soft  features  the  disquietude  of  her 
mind.  Ah,  them  were  the  very  words,  but 
I  little  thought  the  martyred  angel  was 
the  babe  I    had  so  often  nursed.    You'll 
excuse  my  boldness,  madam,  but  I  think 
you  are  the  lady  he  talks  so  about  to  his 
friend  ;    and  he  said  too,  that  if  he  could 
but  speak  once  to  you,  his  heart  would 
be  easier.   Do  now,  my  dear  iady,  for  the 
love  of  charity,  see  and  talk  to  him^  if  it 
be  only  for  once.'' 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE   HEROINE:       121 

Lady  Fitzowen  could  scarcely  restrain 
the  emotion  the  words  of  her  loquacious 
nurse  called  forth  :  she  repressed  the  con- 
sent that  hovered  on  her  lips,  and  by  a 
virtuous    effort    banished    the    obtruding 
softness  that  pleaded    so   powerfully  for 
her    beloved    William,  and    assuming  a 
hauteur,   foreign  to    her   nature,  quelled 
the  officious  and  unmeaning  presumption 
of  Taffline,  by  saying,    "  You  cannot  re- 
collect   I  am    the  wife    of  Sir   Matthew 
Fitzowen,  or  you  would  not  insult  me  by 
wishing  me  to  act  in  a  manner  unbecom- 
ing his  dignity  and  my  own  esteem?  I  am 
a    married   woman,    and   all    intercourse 
with   my    former  lover  must   cease;  my 
duty,  my  honour,  and  my  peace  demand 
it." 

VOL.    IV.  G 


122  OWEN  castle; 

"  Oh,  my  poor  master '!"  cried  Taffline, 
bursting  into  tears.  *  What  a  pity!  What 
a  thousand  pities  that  you  should  be  so 
m  isfor  lunate." 

David  entered  with  a  letter  and  pre- 
sented it  to  her  ladyship,  saying  a  servant 
waited  for  an  answer. 

The  well  known  hand  in  the  superscrip- 
tion awakened  every  tender  sensation,  but 
mastering  the  impulse  of  love  and  anxiety 
that  prompted  her  to  break  the  seal,  she 
returned  it  into  his  hand  unopened,  say- 
ing "  That  is  my  answer." 

David  looked  astonished,  and  stood  ir- 
resolute, when  he  articulated  with  timid 


OR,     WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?       123 

respect  and  intreaty,  "  Won't  your  lady- 
ship read  it }" 

"You  have  your  orders,"  she  replied, 
hastening  to  an  adjoining  apartment  as  fast 
as  her  tremulous  frame  would  permit,  and 
throwing  herself  on  a  sofa,  gave  scope  to 
the  anguish  her  struggle  for  rectitude  had 
caused.  She  was  startled  by  a  voice  that 
thrilled  every  nerve  with  ecstatic  joy,  and 
looking  up  beheld  her  beloved  William, 
who,  gazing  with  grief  and  adoration 
ieaned  over  her  in  dumb  but  expressive 
sorrow.  "  My  William!"  exclaimed  her 
ladyship,  "  recoiling  from  his  ardent  re- 
gards5  why  1  oh,  why  are  you  here?'* 

"  Lady  Fitzowen,"  said  he,  stifling  his 
q  2 


124  owen  castle; 

feelings,  "  do  not,  I  beseech,  I  implore 
you,  unman  me  by  this  coldness,  this  un- 
necessary cruelty.  I  am  now  in  your 
presence  for  the  first  time  since  my  arri- 
val in  England,  and  on  the  eve  of  an 
everlasting  farewell,  yet  you  repulse  me, 
you  deny  me  the  bliss  of  beholding  you. 
Oh  my  love!  my  Grace!  (cried  he,  giving 
way  to  the  transport  which  the  sight  of 
her  created  in  his  bosom,  and  forgetting 
in  the  tumult  of  his  contending  passions 
the  restraint  duty  imposed  on  her,  and 
his  own  honourable  resolution  of  not 
trespassing  on  the  tenderness  that  he 
knew  dwelt  in  her  heart  for  him,  catch- 
ing her  in  his  arms)  let  me  held  thee  to 
my  wretched  breast,  let  our  mutual  tears 
mingle  with  our  woes,  while  kisses  such 
as  angels  give,  seal  our  parting/' 


OR,    WHICH    IS    THE    HEROINE?         125 

"  Oh,  inhuman  William!  (exclaimed 
she,  bursting  from  his  embrace,)  do  you 
conspire  against  me  too?  Leave  me,  I 
conjure  you ;  remember  I  am  wife  to 
another,  no  longer  to  be  approached  by- 
love  or  joy. — Oh !  in  pity  spare  my 
anguish,  unutterable  as  cruel,  and  instant- 
ly depart." 

M  You  love  me  !  (cried  he,  holding  her 
trembling  hands  within  his  own  nervous 
grasp,)  you  love  me,  you  are  my  wife, 
not  the  monster's  that  tore  ycu  from  me  ; 
our  vows  are  registered  in  heaven. — Mor- 
tal ceremony  had  not  power  to  dissolve 
them  ; — then  let  us  fly  together  to  distant 
shores,  far  from  those  who  stole  thee 
from  me.  We  shall  be  blest !  supremely 
q  3 


126  OWEN  CASTX.E; 

blest!  (continued  he,  kneeling  at  her 
feet,)  Heaven  will  smile  upon  us,  will 
cancel  your  bondage  with  the  aged  tyrant 
that  holds  you  from  me.  Oh!  my 
Grace !  is  this  our  promised  joys  ?"  His 
tears,  his  energetic  appeal,  his  counten- 
ance glowing  with  impassioned  beauty; 
his  fine  and  graceful  form  extended  at 
her  feet;  all  were  powerful  foes  to  ri- 
gid rectitude ;  she  struggled  to  be  free 
from  their  seductive  influence,  and  at- 
tempted to  fly  the  apartment.  He  clung 
to  her  robe :  "  Do  not,  I  conjure  you, 
leave  me  thus,  but  banish  that  hovering 
frown  that  threatens  death  to  my  fond 
and  ardent  implorings.  Oh !  Grace,  celes- 
tially arrayed  in  relentless  purity,  does 
not  one  throb  of  pity  move  your  heart,—- 


OR,   WHICH  IS  THE    HEROINE?      12/ 

the  heart  that  once  was  mine}  Scorn  not 
my  prayers,  but  let  the  love  that  flutters 
in  your  breast,  bear  down  stern  law, — Let 
us  seize  the  happiness  that  heaven  sanc- 
tions, and  fly,  blest  in  each  other's  love, 
Where  arbitrary  power  can  never  part   us." 

tc  Captain  Murray!  (cried  she,  while 
misery  wrung  her  heart,  and  with  affected 
firmness  she  strove  to  hide  her  emotions,) 
you  are  unworthy  the  love  I  once 
cherished  in  my  now  broken  heart ;  you 
insult  me  with  a  passion,  honour  and 
every  sentiment  of  religion  condemns 
as  base,  and  bids  you  for  ever  banish. 
Am  I  not  another's  ?  Where  is  the  love 
you  so  loudly  proclaim,  that  would  lure 
its    object     to    destruction   and    infamy i 

G  4 


128  OWEN  castle; 

Selfish,  and  regardless  of  the  sacred  title 
I  bear,  you  rush  into  my  unprepared 
presence,  and  think  by  a  violent  and 
frantic  appeal  to  my  ill-smothered  tender- 
ness, to  vanquish  every  sacred  obstacle 
that  withholds  me  from  you. — Learn  that 
you  are  deceived.  I  am  bound  by 
solemn  ties  never  to  suffer  a  treacherous 
thought  against  my  husband's  peace 
and  my  own  integrity.  In  heaven  I  have 
an  oath,  that  without  perdition  never 
can  be  broken,  and  though  my  tortured 
heart  may  break  in  the  performance 
of  my  duty,  yet  I  will  not  swerve  from 
it;  no  not  even  your  distraction,  and 
my  oivn  despair,  shall  ever  stain  my  soul 
with  a  guilty  love/' 

"Cold    and    obdurate    virtue!    (cried 


OR,    WHICH   IS  THE   HEROINE?      129 

Captain  Murray,  rising  with  a  pallid 
look  of  deep  despair,)  you  have  fixed 
my  doom  ; — I  leave  you,  Lady  Fitzowen, 
for  ever  leave  you  ;"  then  clasping  his 
hands  together  with  the  most  bitter 
regret,  continued  in  a  voice  of  anguish, 
"Where  are  now  the  sanguine  visions  that 
cheered  me  on  the  bed  of  sickness? 
Where  are  now  those  heavenly  smiles  my 
flattering  heart  presaged  would  play 
round  that  lovely  lip  ?  Where  are  now 
the  imagined  and  enchanting  greetings 
that  wrung  in  my  ear  as  whispered  by 
my  Grace  on  my  return  ?  Oh!  hea- 
vens !  she  is  not  mine ;  never,  never  will 
she  be  mine  again.'1 

u  Why  do  you  indulge  this  unavailing 
6  £ 


ISO  OW£N   CASTLE; 

grief,  (said  she,  touched  to  the  soul  by 
the  misery  she  saw  him  labour  with.) 
Ah!  think  how  much  beneath  your 
manly  fortitude  you  fall,  when  you  thus 
deplore  my  unworthy  loss,"  As  she  ap- 
proached him,  a  seraphic  radiance 
shone  in  her  face,  while  she  held  forth 
her  white  hand,  and  a  full  tear  not  to 
be  suppressed,  rolled  down  her  cheek, 
"  I  present  you  my  hand,  William  ;  I 
congratulate  your  long-wished  arrival 
and — "  She  could  articulate  no  more,  the 
effort  was  more  thun  human  to  appear 
calm  at  such  a  moment,  and  she  sunk  on 
the  sofa  overcome  by  the  strength  of  her 
ungovernable  sorrow. 

In  an  instant  William  was  again  at  her 
feet. 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?         131 

"And  can  you  consume  the  life  dedi- 
cated to  me,  to  your  William,  in  wretch- 
edness, and  not  embrace  the  moment  of 
bliss  and  freedom  he  supplicates  you^to  ac- 
cept ?  Loveliest  and  most  adored  of  wo- 
men, let  me  beseech  you  to  listen  with 
compassion  to  what  I  propose.  In  Ire- 
land I  have  an  estate  lately  lefc  me;  thi- 
ther let  me  bear  you;  thejustCreatorknows 
our  hearts;  a  sacred  ceremony  shall  ratify 
our  vows,  annul  your  present  fetters,  and 
place  us  in  everlasting  joys.  By  heaven 
the  picture  transports  me  beyond  the  earth, 
and  I  already  taste  the  celestial  paradise 
your  presence  would  create." 

"Hear  me,     in  mercy  hear  me;"  ex- 
claimed she,  casting  her  eyes  to  heaven,— 
g6 


132  OWEN  CASTLE; 

"Just  guardian  of  thy  erring  creatures! 
shield  me  from  the  temptation  his  honied 
words  and  adored  presence  casts  round 
me, — Oh!  give  me  fortitude  to  resist  his 
weakness  and  my  own:" — then  starting 
from  her  reclining  position,  she  cried, 
"William  adieu,  everlastingly  adieu !  shame 
and  remorse  be  banished  eternally  from 
us ;  this  is  the  crisis  of  our  fate  ;  honour 
and  duty  divide  us;  we  may  meet  in  yon 
pure  abode,  and  there  unite  in  everlast- 
ing purity,  but  on  this  earth,  we  sepa- 
rate for  ever." 

"Oh!  why  must  I  revere  the  inflexible 
virtue  that  dooms  me  to  perpetual  misery!" 
exclaimed  he,  trying  to  detain  her.  At  that 
instant  Maurice  O'Driscal  burst  into  the 
room,  crying  "  By  the  blessed  Pope  Joan 


OR,   WHICH   IS  THE   HEROINE  t      153 

'tis  I  have  the  news.  Och!  is  it  there 
you  are,  honies  T  said  he  with  respectful 
delight,  as  he  beheld  Captain  Murray 
and  her  ladyship ;  "sure  and  sure  enough, 
it  was  myself  that  did  it." 

"Did  tvhat?"  demanded  Captain  Mur- 
ray in  a  reprimanding  tone. 

"Och!  bad  luck  to  my  manners,  (re- 
plied O'Driscal)  and  is  it  me  that's  of- 
fending you  honour  intentionally  f9  and 
bowing  to  the  ground  with  a  profound 
reverence  to  lady  Fitzowen,  continued, 
The  blessing  of  blessings  light  on  the 
baby  that  I  see  before  me.  Och !  and  it's 
little  you  were  when  Maurice  got  the 
half  crown  from  the  sweet  fist  of  your  mo- 


134  OWEN  CASTLE  ; 

ther;  by  my  faith,  that  half  crown  was 
the  making  of  me,  for  the  sup  of  whisky 
which  I  got  with  it  filled  me  brim -full  of 
valour.  Och!  I  was  bursting  with  bravery, 
was  as  drunk  as  a  prince,  and  entered  the 
army  like  a  gentleman." 

"What  business  brings  you  here?"  asked 
the  Captain.  "Business is  it.  Och!  your 
honour,  and  it's  a  fine  business,  a  noble 
business!"  Here  O'Driscal  danced  round 
the  room  with  every  demonstration  of  joy. 
"Its  myself  that's  the  lucky  creature;  but 
begging  your  honour's  pardon,  I'll  come 
to  the  marrow  of  the  whole  truth  in  a  few 
words.5* 

"  I  wish  you  would,  and  not  intrude  on 
Lady  Fitzowen  thus." 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  135 

"Is  it  intruding?"  By  the  fortunate  pow- 
ers, but  the  beautiful  erature  won't  say  so, 
when  she  knows  all.  You  must  know,  your 
ladyship,  that  one  Mr.  Marmaduke,  and  a 
certain  person  that  we  will  call  Mr.  Mil- 
bourne  for  the  fun  o'  the  thing,  (Maurice 
looked  extremely  sage  and  important  as  he 
said  this,  and  Lady  Fitzowen,  giving  a  graci- 
ous but  faint  smile,  listened  with  tranquil 
patience  for  his  communication)  but  that's 
neither  here  nor  there,  jewel,  we'll  soon  be 
after  seeing  the  upshot.  Faith,  Mr.  Mar- 
maduke and  the  other  gentleman  went 
their  ways  to  the  Serpentine  river  to  take 
a  dipping,  my  lady;  natural  enough,  my 
lady,  you  11  say,  this  hot  day:  well,  I  want- 
ed his  honour  to  deliver  some  letters  to  him, 
and  so  thought  I,   may  be  he  is  gone  too; 


136  owen  castle; 

so  I  set  off,  thinking  to  find  him  with  the 
other  gentleman;  the  mothers  son  of  me 
never  dreaming  himself  was  here  all  the 
while.  Well,  I  went  and  I  found  them, 
and  it  was  the  greatest  find  that  ever  was 
found,  my  lady,  for  saving  your  presence, 
when  I  came  to  assist  the  gentleman  to 
dress  (for  you  know  they  had  no  clothes 
on  in  the  water)  I  saw  it;  the  saints  set 
a  blessing  on  the  mark,  I  saw  it  on  his 
shoulder"  "A.  what!*'  said  her  ladyship 
nearly  breathless.  "A  mark,  a  crown!"  by 
St.  Patrick;  and  it  was  a  ^rown,  as  natural 
a  crown  as  the  king's  own" 

"A  crown?  On  whose  shoulder,"  de- 
manded her  ladyship.  "On  the  gentleman 
misnamed  Melbourne.  By  my  faith  but  its 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE?       13f 

a  blundering  sort  of  hocus  pocus  ;  but  had 
you  seen  my  joy,  and  his  astonishment, 
you'd  never  have  forgot  it:  and  sure  I 
brought  him  in  a  twinkling  to  my  lord, 
his  own  natural-born  father,  and  there  they 
are  as  happy  as  princes;  and  there's 
a  tawny  lady,  and  a  fine  old  gentleman, 
they  are  all  together,  and  sent  me  for  you, 
your  ladyship.  Och !  this  is  the  day  of 
all  days  in  the  year!" 

Earl  Northerland  now  entered  the  room, 
holding  Augustus  by  the  hand,  and  fol- 
lowed by  Lord  Orkley  and  Omphale,  who 
eagerly  flew  to  her  agitated  friend. 

"Receive  a  brother,  my  beloved  daugh- 
ter T  cried  the  enraptured  father,  "and  par- 


J 38  owen  castle; 

ticipate  in  the  happiness  the  discovery  has 
occasioned  to  all  around/' 

Her  ladyship  received  him  with  affec- 
tionate surprise.  "  Can  you,  dear  and  in- 
jured sister,  forgive  the  unkindness  of  Au- 
gustus, when  he,  in  the  character  of  a 
brother,  solicits  it:" 

"In  this  embrace  I  bury  the  re- 
membrance of  former  wrongs/'  replied 
she. 

<(  Miraculous  are  the  ways  of  the  Divine 
Providence/'  said  Earl  Northerland.  "  I  felt 
my  heart  incline  warmly  towards  the  dis- 
tressed beggar,  and  followed  the  bent  of 
my  then  unaccountable  predeliction  in  his 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE?         139 

favour.  It  was  heaven  sent  him  to  a  fa- 
ther's care,  and  nature,  with  her  unseen  cord 
of  powerful  instinct,  drew  me  to  my  own. 
Oh  my  children!  let  me  see  in  your 
pure  lives,  an  atonement  for  my  indiscre- 
tions, and  I  shall  die  content.  You,  my 
George,  (said  he,  addressing  Augustus) 
have  seen  sufficient  of  the  dangerous  and 
seductive  path  to  shun  it,  and  by  expe- 
rience, dearly  bought,  are  prepared  to 
accept  of  power  and  dignity  with  an  im- 
proved and  chastened  spirit.  You  are  heir 
to  a  distinguished  house ;  may  the  dignity 
and  virtue  of  your  ancestors  shine  in  all 
your  actions;  I  do  not  desire  a  more  able 
supporter  of  my  honours,  (continued  he, 
beholding  with  parental  delight  his  noble 
form  and   expressive  aspect. )    You  have 


140  OWEN  castle; 

talents,    genius,   generosity,    and     every 
quality  of  mind  to  fill  an  elevated  station. 
The  impetuosity  of  an  ardent  nature  had 
nearly  overwhelmed  you  in  ruin.    Thank 
heaven!   it  has    been    checked  by    early 
misfortune  ;  but  I  perceive  you  yet  retain 
the  glow  of  enthusiasm,  which  properly 
directed,  is  so   essential  for  a  patriot,  so 
necessary  for  an  orator.    Your  eye  is  open 
to  discern,  your  heart  to   liberality;  you 
have  penetration  to  detect  villainy  and  re- 
ward merit;   thus  are  you    fitted  for  an 
English  peer."     His  son  was  confounded 
by  the  instantaneous  change  in  his  pros- 
pects ;   he  saw  how  much  he  was  exalted  ; 
he  rejoiced  at  his  father's  picture  of  what 
he  should  be,  and  with  the  proud  swell  of 
conscious  ability  for  the  task,  with  mingled 


OR,    WHICH    IS    THE  HEROINE  ?     141 

reverence  and  gratitude,  he  threw  himself 
at  his  feet,  exclaiming,  "  Your  son  will 
supplicate  heaven,  that  he  may  never 
disgrace  his  noble  father." 

Omphale  did  not  witness  a  scene  so 
replete  with  pleasure  and  amazement 
unmoved;  her  heart  throbbed  with  trans- 
port at  the  elevation  of  one  so  long",  so 
tenderly  beloved  ;  her  feelings  were  ecstatic 
but  confined  to  her  own  enraptured 
breast ;  words  could  not  adequately  paint 
her  joy ;  silence  was  heaven  with  such 
guests,  and  she  was  mutely  blest. 

Captain  Murray  was  graciously  received 
by  the  Earl  of  Northerland,  and  many 
encomiums    paid    him    on    his    military 


142  OWEN    CASTLE; 

achievements.  The  earl  did  not  in  the 
midst  of  his  joy  at  finding  a  son,  cease 
to  regret  the  misery  of  his  daughter.  In 
Captain  Murray  he  beheld  a  gallant 
officer,  a  gentleman  of  family  and  for- 
tune ;  sorely  did  he  lament  the  unnatural 
tie  that  witheld  him  from  presenting 
his  child  to  such  a  man,  and  his  heart 
bled  at  their  mutual  unhappiness.  His 
reliance  on  the  rectitude  of  his  daughter, 
and  opinion  of  Captain  Murray's  honour, 
spared  him  the  pain  of  supposing  any 
criminality  in  their  meeting,  and  delicacy 
denied  his  asking,  why  he  was  in  his 
house. 

When  Lord  Orkley  placed  the  hand  of 
Omphale  within  that  of  the  former  Au- 


GR,    WHICH    IS  THE  HEROINE?       143 

•gustus,  he  bowed  to  the  earl,  and  said 
"  Thus  I  ratify  our  friendship,  George,  and 
heaven  bless  the  trustees  for  our  bond  of 
amity." 

Lady  Fitzowen,  who  had  borne  up 
through  the  affecting  scene  of  unexpected 
love  and  surprise,  could  not,  on  con- 
trasting her  friend's  felicity  and  her  o-.vn 
misery,  longer  conceal  the  struggles  she 
had  borne,  but  exclaiming  with  clasped 
hands,  "  Bless,  ohl  biess  them  for 
«ver.  Oh  God!  why  am  I  the  only 
wretch,  forlor.i  of  hope  ?"  Then  casting  a 
look  of  unfeigned  tenderness  and  afflic- 
tion  on  Captain  Murray,  fell  senseless  in 
her  father's  arms. 

The    authenticity  of  Augustus's   birth 


144  owen  castle; 

was  sworn  to  by  O'Driscal  and  Taffline, 
they  also  had  recourse  to  the  people  of 
the  public  house,  who  were  living,  and 
swore  they  saw  him  put  the  peculiar 
mark  on  the  infant's  shoulder ;  and  after  a 
most  diligent  search  amongst  the  papers 
of  the  late  Mr.  Milbourne,  a  writing 
was  found,  directed  for  Augustus,  to  be 
opened  by  him  five  years  after  his  arrival 
in  England ;  wherein  was  stated  the 
means  by  which  he  gained  him,  with  the 
name  of  the  ship,  and  the  sailor  who 
stole  him  from  England.  No  time  was  lost 
in  ascertaining  the  sailor's  existence,  who 
wras  found  and  acknowledged  the  crime; 
he  also  observed  the  singular  mark,  and 
without  hesitation  made  oath  he  was 
the  child  he  had  twenty  years  since  sold 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE?       145 

to  Mr  Milbourne.  Thus  was  the  infant 
George  Frederick  Fitzbeauchamp  found 
in  the  person  of  Augustus  Milbourne, 
who  for  the  future  we  shall  distinguish 
as  Lord  George. 

Captain  Wallace  resigned  the  Whit- 
ford  estate  to  the  true  claimant,  a  distant 
relation  of  the  late  Mr.  Milbourne;  and 
exchanging  into  a  regiment  destined  for 
the  East  Indies,  left  his  unworthy  wife 
to  the  fate  her  destructive  courses 
courted. 

The  marriage  of  Lord  George  and  Om- 
phale  was  to  be  celebrated  on  the  same 
day   that  Rufus   Marmaduke  and    Lady 

VOL.  IV.  H 


146  OWEN   CASTLE; 

Sarah's  took  place ;  and  every  settlement 
was  adjusted  with  the  greatest  promp- 
titude and  exactness. 


OR,  WHTCH  IS  THE  HEROIME?  M? 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 


V^/APTAIN  Murray  withdrew  from  the 
affecting  scene   he  had  witnessed  at  Lord 
Northerland's,  in  a  most  distracted  state 
of  mind ;  but  sought  in  the  society  of  his 
early  friend,  to  gain  some  composure,  and 
by  his  consolatory  advice,  learned  to  bear 
the    harsh    separation  fate    had  decreed. 
Rufus  Marmaduke  often  dined  with  him, 
and  devoted  every    friendly  exertion    to- 
wards calming  the  agitations  of  his  breast. 
At  an  early  hour  his  attendance  on  Lady 
h   2 


148  OWEN   CASTLE; 

Sarah  compelled  him  to  take  his  leave. 
Captain  Murray  could  not  endure  the  so- 
litude of  his  lodgings  with  so  oppressed 
a  heart  and  tortured  mind ;  and  in- 
vited by  the  beauty  of  the  night,  strolled 
down  Picadilly.  The  air  from  St.  James's 
Park  greatly  revived  him.  As  he  leaned  de- 
jectedly against  its  iron  pallisades,  watching 
the  reflection  of  the  pale  orb  of  night  in 
the  glassy  surface  of  Rosamond's  pond, 
he  was  roused  from  his  melancholy  train 
of  thought  by  a  sudden  uproar,  and  turn- 
ing round,  saw  a  groupe  of  watchmen 
surrounding  a  person  whose  voice  struck 
him  to  be  that  of  Tobit  Swithin's,  hem- 
med in  with  several  other  gentlemen  in 
masqeurade  habits.  Tobit  Swithin  had  on 
a  motley  dress,  with  a  fool's  cap  and  bells, 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?       149 

which  in  his  violent  gesticulations,  shook 
with  a  jingling  noise,  that  made  his  angry 
words  more  incoherent  than  his  pas- 
sionate hesitation. 

i 

"  I  demand  satisfaction/' cried  he,  "  and 
1  will  have  it." 

"  So  you  shall,  Cloten,"  returned  a  half 
intoxicated  mask,  "  Cloten  the  brave!' 

"  So  I  will.  I  am  as  inoffensive  and 
peaceable  a  man  as  any,  when  let  alone; 
but  I  won't  put  up  with  an  affront,  look 
you  to  that." 

a  You  broke  the  lamp  my  master, "said 
a  watchman,  i(  and  Will  Snorum's  head, 
H  3 


150  OWEN    CASTLE; 

so  yo  must  go  with  me  to  the  watch-house, 
in  your  fool's  coat." 

"lama  gentleman,  fellow/'  cried  the 
enraged  Tobit,  "  and  will  knock  any  man 
down,  by  St.  David  I  will,  that  offers  to 
molest  me." 

"  Here!  you  gem  man  in  the  shape  of 
the  devil,"  exclaimed  a  watchman,  "  what 
is  the  meaning  of  this  here  rumpus  in 

Captain  Murray  then  observed  a  person 
in  a  dress  meant  to  resemble  that  character, 
who  made  no  other  answer,  than  a  roar  of 
laughter,  in   which  the  masks  joined. 

"  You  may    laugh,   gentlemen/'  cried 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE?        151 

the  irritated  Tobit,  "  but  its  no  joke  to  be 
bunted  to  death  through  the  streets  by  a 
demon.  The  blessed  Saint  David  him- 
self, nor  St.  Winifred  to  boot,  would  not 
stand  it  ;  with  his  tail  whisking  about 
like  a  flambeau ;  then  his  horns  too.  It 
is  a  sin  and  a  shame,  look  you,  and  I'll 
have  satisfaction/' 

"  Take  them  to  the  watch-house/'  cried 
the  mob,  u  or  the  fool  will  kill  the  devil, 
and  all  London  will  go  into  mourning*" 
They  attempted  to  seize  Tobit,  who 
nimbly  escaping  them,  ran  along  the 
street  with  the  masked  devil  in  pursuit 
of  him,  and  the  whole  mob  shouting  in 
full  chase. 
i 

Captain  Murray  then  enquired  of  one 
h  4 


15^  OWEN  CASTLE; 

of  the  masks,  who  lingered  behind  the 
rest,  if  he  could  inform  him  of  the  mean- 
ing of  the  disturbance  then  making. 

"  Only  a  masquerade  frolic,  sir,  at  the 
expence  of  a  simple  gentleman."  He 
then  proceeded  to  inform  him  of  the 
whole  affair. 

"When  at  dinner  at  the  London  Tavern, 
it  was  proposed  that  Mr.  S within,  who 
had  a  strong  desire  to  witness  the  fluctua- 
tions of  a  masquerade  groupe,  should  ac- 
company a  large  party  then  there,  to  the 
Pantheon  in  the  evening.  Accordingly 
we  went  to  a  warehouse,  and  chose  our 
different  dresses.  Mr.  Swithin  was  per- 
suaded to  hire  that  of  the  fool,  with  his 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?         153 

cap  and  bells,  by  Sir  Frederick  Hairbrain, 
who  waggishly  proposed  to  have  some 
sport  with  the  novice  ;  and  being  a  little 
merry  with  the  wine  he  had  drank  after 
dinner,  equipped  himself  in  the  dress  of 
his  infernal  majesty,  but  kept  concealed 
from  Mr.  Swithin,  until  we  all  sallied 
into  the  thickest  of  the  company.  The 
country  gentleman's  surprise  at  every 
striking  object,  created  the  diversion  of 
many,  and  brought  on  him  the  wit  and 
impertinence  of  the  masks ;  he  was 
roasted  exceedingly,  from  his  inability 
to  support  the  character  he  had  assumed. 
Sir  Frederic  Hairbrain,  shortly  presented 
himself  to  the  astonished  Tobit ;  who 
trembled  excessively  at  his  terrific  ap- 
pearance, and  did  not  at  all  relish  bis 
k5 


154  owen  castle; 

selecting  him  for  his  companion  ;  but  the 
extreme  wit   of  Sir  Frederick's   sarcasms 
on  many  he  knew,  even  in  their  diguise, 
made  him  the  most  followed  and  admired 
of  the  characters.     Mr.  Swithin    perceiv- 
ing the  protection  of  the  majestic   demon 
in  a  trifling  measure  saved  him  from  the 
rough  usage  of  the  company,  stuck  close  to 
him,  and  as  the  Japanese  do,  worshipped 
him  through  fear ;  but  he  turned  traitor 
to  his   servile  adherent,  and  joined  with 
the  rest  to    worry  and   teaze  him.     He 
lashed  him  relentlessly  with  his  fiery  tail, 
and   hunting   him    from    the   Pantheon, 
pursued   him  furiously  along  the  streets. 
He  was  in  the  greatest  terror,  and  in   his 
speed  to  gain   his  lodgings,  mistook    his 
way,  knocked  down  a  watchman,     and 


OR,  WHICH    IS  THE  HEROINE?         155 

breaking  a  lamp,  raised  the  uproar  you 
saw.  Sir  Frederick  will  not  quit  him 
until  he  sees  him  safe  lodged  at  home, 
but  I  much  fear  the  end  of  the  frolic  will 
not  be  so  replete  with  mirth  as  the  begin- 
ning ;  they  will  certainly  get  lodged  in 
the  watch-house  for  disturbing  the  peace, 
and  the  morning  bring  forth  a  disgraceful 
appearance  at  Bow  Street." 

Captain  Murray  lost  no  time  in  seek- 
ing his  alarmed  and  distressed  neighbour, 
whom  he  found  seated  in  the  corner  of 
a  watch- bouse  with  Sir  Frederick,  and 
the  constable  of  the  night  sitting  in  judg- 
ment over  them,  with  many  creatures, 
whose  tawdry  misery  and  gross  language 
shocked  his  &ight ;  and  seeing  pickpockets 

n6 


156 


OWEN  CASTLE  ; 


and  every  species  of  beggarly  depravity 
surrounding  the  grotesque  and  respectable 
strangers,  he  soon  prevailed  on  the  con- 
stable to  take  his  bail,  and  liberated  the 
prisoners,  who  as  soon  as  a  coach  could 
be  procured,  were  conveyed  to  their 
lodgings. 

"  Well  (cried  Tobit,  as  he  seated  him- 
self in  his  own  apartment),  if  I  live  a 
thousand  and  a  thousand  years,  I  shall 
never  forget  the  frights  and  escapes  I've 
had  to-night ;  and  I'll  not  sleep  another 
night  in  this  wicked  place,  but  give  my 
orders,  and  gallop  away  from  it  as  fast — 
aye,  as  fast  as  I  came  into  it.  Never  was 
a  simple  country  gentleman  used  in  the 
barbarous  way  I  have  been.     I  shall  never 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE?      15^ 

think  myself  safe  from  that  flying  devil 
until  I  am  lodged  in  mamma's  arm  chair 
at  Rusty  Hall." 

When  Captain  Murray  informed  him 
that  it  was  Sir  Frederick  Hairbrain  who 
had  tortured  him  with  fright,  Tobit 
stared  incredulously  in  his  face,  and  said 
that  he  could  not  credit  that  Sir  Fre- 
derick, who  had  declared  himself  to  be 
his  particular  friend  while  drinking  to- 
gether after  dinner,  could  be  such  a 
heathen  and  a  traitor  as  to  assume  the 
disguise  of  a  devil,  and  take  part  against 
him.  Then  with  a  rueful  visage  and  a 
profound  comicality  of  superstition,  cried, 
"  He  danced  me,  'tis  true  into  a  fever, 
but  if  Old  Nick  does  not  dance  him,  for 


158  OWEN    CASTLE; 

being  so  familiar  with  his  person,  may 
St.  David  never  protect  me  from  the 
powers  of  witchcraft.  My  dear  friend,  if 
you  had  seen  him  capering  with  Venus 
and  the  conjurer  at  the  Pantheon,  you 
would  never  have  forgot  it ;  whi-king  his 
fiery  tail,  first  to  the  right  and  then  to 
the  left — Lud,  lud,  it  was  vastly  profane  ! 
Tnen  lie  whips  him  off  with  Venus,  and 
left  the  poor  conjurer  in  the  greatest 
trouble,  for  I  heard  the  greybeard  say, 
throwing  down  his  wand,  that  since  the 
devil  had  fled  him,  he  had  no  further 
power  over  the  minds  of  the  people,  and 
he  must  give  up  his  trade.  Soon  after, 
he  was  ar  the  elbow  of  a  methodist- 
preacher ;  then,  arm-in-arm  with  a  states- 
man and  a  Jew ;   then  again  holding  up 


OR,  WHICH   IS   THE  HEROINE?       159 

the  train  of  a  rantipole  woman  of  quality, 
who  flirted  about  in  the  disguise  of  a  nun  ; 
then  he  stood  between  a  gipsey  and  a 
miser,  and  absolutely  assisted  the  gipsey 
to  pick  his  pocket ;  now  you  know  that 
was  a  downright  robbery;  then  he  jumped 
on  the  back  of  a  lawyer,  and  rode  round 
the  room,  brandishing  his  sceptre,  swearing 
none  should  touch  his  loving  disciple, 
and  one  after  his  own  heart." 

"  You  may  smile,  captain,  but  I  see  no 
wit  or  pleasure  in  such  doings ;  the  music 
and  lights  excepted,  there  was  nothing 
pleasurable  in  the  place." 

"  Did  you  join  in  the  dance?" 

"  No,  indeed,  I  had  a  better  value  for 


160  owen  castle; 

myself  than  to  dance  with  low  company  ; 
there  was  no  distinction  amongst  persons  ; 
there  was  a  princess  and  chimney  sweeper, 
a  barrow  woman  and  a  mogul ;  and  an 
old  match-woman  had  the  assurance  to 
make  up  to  me  and  hauled  me  about,  be- 
cause I  refused  her ;  but  I  have  a  shrewd 
suspicion  that  the  match-woman  was  a 
man,  and  one  of  the  company  at  dinner, 
for  he  was  the  most  indecent  old  hussey  in 
nature.  Then  1  had  a -narrow  escape  from 
an  oyster  wench,  and  had  liked  to  have 
been  scraped  to  death  with  oyster  shells." 

"Most  probably  the  persons  so  habited," 
said  Captain  Murray,  "  were  people  of  the 
first  respectability  and  fortune.  Duchesses 
often  hide  their  rank  beneath  a  patched 
petticoat." 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?        l6l 

M  May  be  so,"  returned  Tobit,  "  but  I 
like  nothing  out  of  reason,  and  as  for 
Venus,  Cupid,  Apollo,  Hercules,  Bac- 
chus and  his  Bacchanalians,  I  was  quite 
tired  of  blushing  for  their  scanty  drapery; 
but  the  ladies  did  so  simper,  that  I  am 
inclined  to  believe  a  state  of  nudity  has  no 
terrors  for  their  delicacy." 

Captain  Murray  endeavoured  to  pur- 
suade  him  to  stay  a  couple  of  days  longer 
in  town,  when  he  would  accompany  him 
to  his  friends,  but  to  no  purpose,  Mr. 
Swithin  was  determined  to  quit  London 
that  evening.  l<  Don't  persuade  me,  my 
good  friend,"  he  cried,  shaking  him  cor- 
dially by  the  hand,  U  don't  persuade  me 
to  stay.     I   am  convinced  that  the  post 


162  owen  castle; 

of  honour,  ( at  least  for  me )  is  a  private 
station.  If  I  continue  here,  I  shall  ruin 
my  health  by  drinking,  and  my  fortune 
by  gambling ;  besides  I  don't  understand 
these  hoaxing  Londoners,  and  am  best  at 
Rusty  Hall,  where  in  a  fox  chase,  and  a 
pop  at  the  partridges,  I  am  your  man. 
As  for  masquerading  frolicks,  I've  no 
head  for  them  ;  so,  my  dear  captain,  ex- 
cuse me  to  all  we  know,  while  I  make 
my  escape  before  that  madcap  boisterous 
Sir  Frederick  lays  hold  of  me.  He  swore 
he  would  beat  up  my  quarters  at  Rusty 
Hall  in  the  grouse  season,  but  I  don't 
care  for  that,  let  me  but  once  get  him 
admidst  the  mountains,  and  I  will  shew 
him  sport  for  sport,  I  warrant."  He  la- 
vished   a    thousand     congratulations    on 


OR,   WHICH  IS    THE   HEROINE?         l6'3 

Captain  Murray's  arrival  in  England,  and 
expatiated  very  largely  on  his  concern 
for  his  disappointment  with  Lady  Fitz- 
owen.  *  I  like  a  soldier,  mightily,  and 
wanted  to  go  with  the  baronet,  my  vali- 
ant countryman  ;  but  mamma  would  not 
let  me,  which  mortified  my  rising  spirit 
very  much ;  particularly  when  I  saw  him 
come  safe  back  again,  without  the  least 
damage.  But  would  yea  believe  that  I 
heard  he  said,  he  was  only  sorry  that 
he  had  not  an  opportunity  of  leaving  an 
arm  or  a  leg  behind  him,  in  the  field 
of  battle.  What  an  odd  taste  he  must 
have!  Now  I  should  have  been  very 
loath  to  have  lost  any  of  my  precious 
limbs ;  and  if  anybody  was  to  ask  me 
which  I  would  rather  part  with,  I  could 


1 64  OWEN  CASTLE  ; 

not  make  up  my  mind  in  a  month. 
Here  Tobit  admiring  himself  in  a  large 
glass,  gave  Captain  Murray  an  opening 
to  wish  him  a  good  journey,  and  took 
his  leave. 


OR,   WHICH    IS   THE    HEROINE?         165 


CHAP.    XXXVI. 


iVxRS.  Wallace  now  requires  our  atten- 
tion. She  at  length  was  weary  of  wheedling 
the  coveted  treasure  from  the  iron  hold 
of  the  miser,  under  whose  protection  she 
lived,  and  longed  to  place  his  infatuated 
nephew  in  the  possession  of  his  wealth. 
Her  passion  for  the  youth  was  as  violent  as 
it  was  shocking  to  all  morality ;  but 
her  well  feigned  pity  for  the  poor  widow 
his  mother,  and  her  helplesss  orphans, 
won  the  confidence  of  the  whole  family. 
She  loaded  the  daughters   with   presents, 


\66  owen  castle; 

and  forced  on  the  unhappy  credulous  pa- 
rents various  sums  of  money. 

The  young  man  had,  by  the  assistance 
of  his  able  instructress,  forged  several 
checks  on  his  uncle's  banker,  to  supply 
his  unbounded  extravagance,  which  had 
remained  some  time  without  detection, 
but  by  an  unexpected  examination  of  ac- 
counts was  suddenly  discovered.  Shocked 
at  the  treachery  of  his  nephew,  and  the 
ingratitude  of  the  syren  who  had  in- 
veigled him  by  her  uncommon  arts,  and 
on  whom  he  had  lavished  every  expensive 
gratification,  he  was,  as  it  were,  stunned 
by  the  developement  of  their  practices ; 
but  pity  for  his  innocent  sister  and  or- 
phans, induced  him  to  desist  from   pro* 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  I67 

securing  the  offender.  He  commanded 
the  wretched  youth  to  quit  the  kingdom 
and  never  more  appear  within  his  sight, 
unless  he  wished  to  provoke  the  fate  his 
unjust  conduct   and   criminality  deserved. 

Mrs.  Wallace,  maddened  by  her  lover's 
ruin,  and  her  own,  resolved  not  to  leave 
him ;  but  by  a  desperate  exertion  to  gain 
the  means  of  support  during  their  banish- 
ment. To  this  end  she  turned  her 
thoughts,  and  soon,  fatally  soon,  their  dread- 
ful result  will  appear.  The  night  before 
her  intended  departure  from  London,  Mrs. 
Wallace,  by  imposing  on  the  favour  and 
innocence  of  a  servant,  gained  admittance 
into  the  house  she  had  so  lately  been 
driven   from ;  and  stealing  softly  to   the 


I6S  OWEN  castle; 

bedchamber  of    Mr.  Egerton,   who  was 
asleep,  rummaged  his  escrutoire,  and  took 
from   thence   notes  and    cash   to  a    vast 
amount.     While  she  was  thus  employed, 
he  awoke,  and  seeing  her  about  to  decamp 
loaded    with    her    pillage,     leaped    from 
the  bed,  and  threatened  her  with  the  pu- 
nishment her  audacity  and  theft  merited. 
She  struggled  to  be  free,  but  finding   his 
superior  strength   would   inevitably    pre- 
vent her  liberty,    she  drew  a  pistol  from 
her  bosom,  and  before  he  could  wrest  it 
from  her  hold,   the  contents  were  lodged 
in  his   head,  and  he   was  extended  a  life- 
less corse  at  her  feet.     An  instantaneous 
horror  of  the  crime  took  possession  of  her 
senses.     The  treasure  she  had  purloined, 
fell  from  her  nerveless  hands ;  she  wrung 


OR,    WHICH  IS    THE  HEROINE?       1(5$ 

them  in  the  utmost   terror  and  dismay ; 
and  flying  down  the  stairs,  was  met  by  the 
watchmen,    servants,    and  others,  who   a- 
larmed   by  the   report  of  the  pistol,  were 
rushing  up   to   ascertain  the  cause  of  so 
unusual  a  sound  at  that  hour.     They  im- 
mediately   seized   the  culprit,    who   con- 
founded by  their  sudden  appearance,  and 
the  discovering  of  her   crime,    made  no 
useless  resistance.     A  torpid  cessation  of 
all  the  faculties  of  her  mind,  glared  in  her 
deadened  eyes,    and   the   perturbation  of 
her  body  alone  betokened  that  a  sense  of 
what  had  passed  remained  in  her  recol- 
lection.    She  was  secured   for  the  night, 
dragged   before  a  magistrate    next  morn- 
ing and  from  thence  sent  to  Newgate,  where 
lodged  in   the  gloomy  cell  assigned  her, 

VOL.    IV.  I 


IJO  OWEN    CASTLE; 

and  loaded  with  heavy  chains,  the  lost 
Arpasia  was  condemned  to  linger  the  ap- 
pointed time  before  her  Jlnal  trial  and 
condemnation.  The  midnight  hour  was 
replete  with  terror  and  distraction ;  the 
form  of  her  honest  father  flitted  before 
her  sight;  the  wronged  and  abused  widow 
Milbourne  haunted  her  imagination  ;  the 
divided  loves  of  Grace  and  William  up- 
braided her  conscience ;  all  grouped  in 
dreadful  plaint  around  her  straw  pallet. 
Maddened  by  her  final  doom,  she  raved 
incessantly,  and  strove  with  unavailing 
frenzy  to  break  the  massy  chains  that 
bound  her  galled  wrists  and  legs,  and  to 
burst  the  prison  bolts.  The  horrid  blas- 
phemy of  her  curses  made  her  keepers 
?hudder>    whose    familiarity    with    crime 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?  17 1 

rendered  them  almost  callous  to  the  la- 
mentings  of  the  guilty  sinner.  Exhausted 
by  her  vehement  complainings,  and  un- 
availing distraction,  she  sunk  powerless 
on   the  cold  pavement. 

In  the  seccud  week  of  her  confinement 
she  was  brought  out  to  trial,  was  con- 
victed, and  received  the  awful  sentence 
of  condemnation.  The  beauty  of  the 
culprit  interested  at  first  every  spec- 
tator in  her  favour,  but  her  crime  could 
not  be  denied  or  palliated ;  yet  every 
heart  melted  when  the  judge,  exhorting 
her  to  penitence,  pronounced  the  fiat 
of  her  fate.  The  sanguine  hopes  of  pardon 
she  had  indulged  in,  which  the  know- 
ledge of  her  interesting  youth  and  beautiet 
I  2 


1^2  OWEN    CASTLE; 

had  given  rise  to,  all  vanished  as  the 
last  sentence  sounded  in  her  ear.  She 
threw  a  frantic  look  of  supplication  to- 
wards heaven,  and  uttering  a  piercing 
shriek  of  agonized  despair,  fell  senseless 
at  the  keeper's  feet,  and  was  conveyed  in 
that  melancholy  state  to  her  cell.  On 
her  recovery  to  sense  and  feeling,  her 
mother  with  her  child  stood  lamenting 
over  her. 

The  wretched  parent  hearing  of  her 
doom  had  obtained  permission  and  had 
travelled  up  to  town  on  the    sad  occasion. 

6i  My  mother  !  my  wretched  mother  ! 
(cried  the  deplorable  sufferer,)  why  did 
you  not  forget  me  as  I  did  yoa" 


OR,    WHICH    IS  THE  IIEROIXE  t       1  J3 

M  Oh !  woe  is  the  day  I  gave  thee 
birth!  (returned  the  miserable  parent,) 
My  loving  folly  has  destroyed  thee,  and 
brought  my  grey  hairs  with  shame 
and  poverty    to  the  grave. 

"  Enough !  mother,  (returned  Arpasia,) 
the  time  is  past; — let  us  pray,  Oh!  my 
boy!  (she  cried,  snatching  the  unconscious 
child  to  her  tortured  breast,)  may  thy 
omnipotent  Father  guard  thee  ever! 
ever!  Mother,  (she  cried,  forcing  heron 
her  knees  by  her  side,)  recommend  my 
soul  to  God,  implore  the  intercession  of 
my  father  for  his  once  beloved  Arpasia. 
Pray — Oh!  mother,  pray  for  your  desper- 
ate and  repentant  child."  The  earnest 
expression  of  her  sallow  and  despairing 
13 


174  OWEN  castle; 

visage,  her  shrunken  form  and  ghastly  eye, 
overcame    the  heart-broken    parent   with 
awful  fear;    she  obeyed    her    child,  and 
sinking  by  her  side,  sobbingly  articulated 
a     mournful    supplication    for    heavens 
mercy.     Arpasia  joined  the   pure  hands 
of  her    boy    together,  and    bending    his 
little   knees,     bade     him    pray    for    his 
undone  mother.    The  innocent  rehearsed 
the   prayers    it   had  been    taught,  while 
the  guilty  mother,  murmured  in  unison 
with     her    lisping    mediator     and     aged 
suppliant.      "Yes,   yes!    (she     cried,     a 
bright    beam  of   sudden  joy  illuminating 
her  face,)  there  is  hope.  My  Father  smiles 
from    above ;    he  hears   us,    mother,   he 
hears  us!  This  innocent  has    opened  the 
gates  of  heaven  to  me,  and  my   soul  shall 


OR,  WHICH    IS  THE    HEROINE?        J75 

not  perish."  She  embraced  her  child, 
then  reclining  on  her  straw,  reached  her 
hand  out  to  her  mother,  and  in  a  hollow 
tone  implored  her  forgivenness,  which 
was  given  in  a  sorrowful  and  broken 
voice. 

"  It  is  well,  (sighed  she,)  and  /for- 
give you,  my  poor  mis-judging  parent, 
your  mad  excess  of  fondness  that  laid 
the  foundation  of  my  ruin. — Where  is 
Reuben  Blackthorn,  who  was  so  kind  to 
your"  she  faintly  enquired. 

?  In    his  native  village,  he  married  a 

year  and    a  half  ago,  Miss  Spriggs,   who 

had  a  great    fortune  left  her  by   a  death. 

He  is  the  best  of  husbands  and  fathers  and 

I   4 


176  OWEN    CASTLE; 

the  most  thriving  yeoman  for  many  miles 
round." 

"  God  bless  him!  (cried  Arpasia, clasp- 
ing her  hands  with  fervency)  God  bless 
him!    He  was  virtuous." 

"  Oh,  (exclaimed  the  mother)  when  I 
think  on't,  how  gladsome  your  days 
might  have  been,  and  how  comely  and 
handsome  you  was,  my  heart  is  broke 
in  two,'"* 

"Handsome!  Yes,  (replied  Arpasia,)  I 
was  fatally  so.  Beauty  !  thou  baneful  gift, 
how  many  watchful  guardians  do  you 
demand!  Religion,  filial  duty,  prudence, 
fortitude.    I  had  none  of  these  to  ward  off 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?         177 

danger  and  temptation,  the  too  sure  at- 
tendants  on  a  beautiful  exteroir.  I  was  vain 
of  my  unsubstantial  possession  ;  arrogant, 
romantic  and  overbearing;  my  passions 
unrestrained  bore  me  on,  until  they 
wrecked  my  soul  and  body." 

The  dungeon  door  slowly  opened,  and 
Lord  Orminstead  entered  the  solitary 
gloom  of  the  faintly  illumined  cell. — The 
scene  made  him  shudder  ;  the  feeble  rays 
of  the  suspended  lamp  fell  on  the  altered 
countenance  and  worn  frame  of  the  miser- 
able sinner,  who  sat  with  her  mother  and 
son  weeping  by  her  side.  His  heart  smote 
him,  and  he  inwardly  ejaculated  "  See 
the  seducer's  work,  its  fruit  and  punish- 
ment!" he  drew  nigh,  and  with  ill  collect- 
I  5 


l7§  OWEN  castle; 

ed  firmness  said,  "  Arpasia!  can  you  for- 
give your  destroyer,  the  wretched  Theo* 
dosiusr  How  shall  I  atone  for  being  your 
seducer  from  the  path  of  rectitude,  and 
leading  you  to  the  delusive  verge  of  vice 
and  eternal  shame?  Teach  me,  oh,  teach 
me  how  to  make  reparation  !"  He  took 
her  burning  hand  within  his  own,  and 
knelt  by  her. 

She  raised  herself,  and  giving  her  boy 
into  his  arms,  pointed  to  her  wretched 
parent,  "  Shield  the  offspring  of  our  crime 
from  want  and  error ;  guard  him  from 
the  snares  of  youth,  by  implanting  reli- 
gioTi  in  his  young  heart,  securely,  firmly ; 
be  his  counsellor,  guardian,  benefactor — 
father;  for  in  that  title  are  allunited  :  and 


OR,    WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?       I/O, 

if  his  mother's  crimes  should  threaten 
to  overthrow  your  labour,  oh!  rebuke  him 
not  severely,  or  drive  him  from  you,  but 
win  his  obedience  and  return  to  virtue  by 
gentleness,  humanity  and  consideration. 
No  breast  so  hardened,  but  feels  the  soft- 
ened touch  of  kindness." 

"I  will,  I  will,"  cried  his  lordship, 
acutely  sensible  of  the  solemnity  of  the 
charge. 

"  And  my  mother — never  let  her  want." 

"  I  shall  not  burthen  his  charity,"  ex- 
claimed the  disconsolate  parent;  "  I  shall 
die  with  grief  and  shame,  before  I  need 
his  help." 


180  OWEN    CASTLE; 

He  promised  she  should  never  know  a 
care  for  the  necessaries  and  comforts  of 
life,  and  directing  the  child  to  be  sent  to 
him  when  he  left  his  mother,  took  a 
melancholy  and  eternal  leave  of  the  once 
admired  Arpasia.  The  good  Mr.  Stanley 
soon  after  appeared,  as  a  missionary  of 
peace  and  forgiveness  from  Lady  Fitz- 
owen,  Omphale,  and  Lord  George.  The 
worthy  man  was  subdued  to  tears  when 
he  saw  the  penitent;  and  did  not  leave 
her  until  the  clergyman  appeared  to  pray 
by  her  during  the  night.  The  paroxysms 
of  grief  and  despair  she  had  given  way  to, 
at  the  first  of  her  imprisonment,  had 
broken  a  small  blood  vessel,  which  was 
attended  with  frequent  and  alarming  con- 
vulsions ;  it  was  with  the  greatest  difficul- 


OR,    WHICH    IS    THE    HEROINE?       18 1 

ty  she  was  arrayed  in  the  sable  dress,  pre- 
pared for  her  execution :  she  hailed  her 
agonies  with  a  distressing  joy,  saying  in 
the  interval  of  each  convulsion,  "  surely 
I  cannot  outlive  another,  God  will  hear 
my  cry,  and  save  me  from  the  scaffold. " 
The  turnkey  appeared  to  summon  her  at 
the  dreaded  hour,  and  as  she  rose  from 
the  wretched  straw,  the  solemn  bell  tolled 
the  first  sound  of  her  knell;  she  shuddered, 
it  seemed  to  virbate  through  her  heart's 
core.  "  Hark,  hark!"  she  cried,  "  I  am 
called;  did  you  not  hear  the  dreadful 
summons  ?  Oh  heaven  !  is  there  no  hope, 
— none,  and  die  I  must!"  She  burst  into  a 
loud  and  terrific  laugh,  the  hlood  gushed 
afresh  from  her  mouth,  and  with  a  dreadful 
shriek,  the  lost,  the  wretched  Arpasia 
expired. 


IS2  OWEN  castle; 

Thus  closed  the  life  of  ■  the  fascinating 
Mrs.  Wallace,  an  alarming  example  to 
those  whose  vain  ambition  in  giving  a 
high  turned  education  to  their  children, 
force  them  from  the  sphere  they  were 
born  to  move  in*  Perfections  such  as 
Arpasia  possessed^were  the  surest  guides 
to  ruin,  when  unprotected  by  piety  ;  and 
never  let  the  fond  parent's  eye  delight  in 
the  perfect  exterior  and  dazzle  of  a  child's 
accomplishments,  unless  assured  a  vir- 
tuous heart,  impressed  by  devout  princi- 
ples, unite  with  them.  Her  corpse,  fol- 
lowed by  her  mother  and  innocent  child, 
was  decently  interred  ;  Lord  Orminstead 
punctually  discharged  his  promise,  and 
from  the  hour  of  the  seduced  Arpasia's 
sudden  death,  retrieved  his  errors,  and  by 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?       183 

discharging  the  duties    of  a  tender  hus- 
band and  father,    led   an  admirable    and 

newly   regulated    life. 

Lady  Fitzowen,  though  smarting  under 
the   lash   of  tyranny   Arpasia   had    assis- 
ted    to    inflict,    was    struck    with     hor- 
row    and     pity     at    her     dreadful     end, 
and  with  angelic  benignity    remembered 
the  departed   criminal  in  her  prayers  to 
the  throne  of  mercies.      Mild  and  indul- 
gent to  the  faults  of  others   (though  un- 
remitting in  severity  to  her  own)  the  in- 
juries  she   had   received    were    no   more 
remembered,  but  submitted   to  the  grand 
judge   before    whose  awful    tribunal    the 
guilty  sufferer  was  answering,   and  where 
she   herself  might  as  suddenly  be  sum- 
moned to  appear. 


1S4  OWEN    CASTLE; 

"  And  can  you  forgive  so  soon  the 
wrongs  that  unhappy  woman  joined  to 
inflict  (said  the  earl,  her  father,  when 
hearing  her  ladyship's  sentiments  on  her 
death)  ?  You  are  more  of  a  philosopher 
than  I  should  have  supposed,  particularly 
when  you  reflect  the  galiing  fetters  you  are 
bound  with  were  forged  by  her  assis- 
tance/' 

"I  trust  I  am  a  christian,  my  lord/'  re- 
plied she,  with  the  most  benign  counte- 
nance, "and  how  can  a  frail  mortal  dare  to 
hold  resentment  in  his  heart  against  a 
brother  sinner,  when  he  repeats  this  bless- 
ed sentence, ( Forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as 
iv e  forgive  them  that  trespass  against  us,' 
Believe  me,  my  dear  father  ;  many  repeat 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?  1S5 

this  without  weighing  the  sublime  and 
truly  christian  doctrine  it  is  meant  to 
convey;  and  in  my  opinion,  no  man 
can  call  himself  a  christian  that  harbours 
the  least  spark  of  enmity  in  his  breast* 
or  permits  the  sun  to  set  upon  his  re- 
sentment." 

The  earl  enfolding  her  in  his  arms, 
blest  the  careful  hand  that  had  early 
ingrafted  such  principles  in  her  mind, 
and  exclaimed,  "  You  are  a  christian  in 
the  truest  sense  of  the  word  ;  the  forgive- 
ness of  injuries  is  indeed  a  heavenly  com- 
mand, and  I  hope  I  may  venture  to 
affirm,  without  profanation,  when  you 
come  forth  before  the  radiant  eye  of 
mercy,  a  suppliant  for  purification;  your 


186  OWEN  castle; 

sins  will  be  as  readily  pardoned,  as  you- 
have  forgiven  those  of  your  numerous 
oppressors." 


OR,   WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  187 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 


j^L  Few  days  only  intervened  before  the 
nuptials  of  Lord  George  and  Omphale, 
with  that  of  Lady  Sarah  and  Rufus  Mar- 
maduke  were  to  take  place;  yet  the  infirm 
baronet  threatened  to  force  Grace  from  the 
protection  of  her  father,  before  she 
could  witness  the  felicity  so  near  its  com- 
pletion. Burning  with  jealousy  at  the 
knowledge  he  had  obtained  of  his  young 
rival  the  gallant  and  amiable  Captain 
Murray     having    seen   his    wife,    whose 


188  ovven  castle; 

rectitude  had  made  her  scrupulous  to 
avoid  his  presence  and  drop  all  intercourse 
with  so  dangerous  and  seductive  an  ad- 
vocate, he  had  sent  a  stern  mandate  for 
her  immediate  return  home,  and  a  speedy 
departure  for  the  sequestered  shades  of 
Ovven  Castle.  She  implored  his  permis- 
sion to  witness  the  happiness  of  her  friends, 
which  he  savagely  denied  ;  she  then 
petitioned  to  be  permitted  to  retire  to  a 
distant  estate  of  her  father's,  where  she 
might  lament  in  solitude  the  destiny  hehad 
inflicted,  but  in  vain  ;  the  baronet  was 
deaf  to  her  entreaties ;  she  then  openly 
declared  her  intention  of  never  living 
beneath  the  same  roof  with  him  again, 
and  in  the  most  pathetic  manner  besought 
her   father  to  procure  a  legal  separation 


OR,   WHICH  I*    THE   HEROINE?  189 

between  them.  The  earl  was  touched 
by  the  distress  of  his  amiable  child,  yet 
he  intimated,  unless  the  baronet  could 
be  prevailed  upon,  or  the  law  force  him  to 
consent  to  a  separate  maintenance,  no 
chance  of  emancipation  was  likely  to 
lighten  the  affliction  she  laboured  with. 
"  What  can  you,  my  dear  child,  alledge 
against  your  husband,  (said  the  earl) 
that  the  world  would  call  sufficient  to 
disa tin ul,  your  union?" 

"  He  deceived  me  into  marriage  by  the 
vilest  stratagem,  and  has  since  embittered 
my  every  hour  by  the  harshest  treat- 
ment," replied  his  weeping  daughter. 


"  His  fidelity  you  have  never  questioned, 


190  OWEN    CASTLE; 

and  no  personal  affront  or  violence  of- 
fered, such  as  brutal  cowardice  inflicts, 
when  the  manly  arm  levels  a  blow  at 
unprotected  feminine  weakness ;  nor  does 
he  squander  his  fortune.'' 

"It  is  very  true,  my  lord/'  said  she, 
"  but  there  are  other  miseries  in  married 
life,  though  these  are  excepted,  that 
destroy  happiness,  such  as  malignity  of 
heart,  and  tenacious  tyranny  of  temper> 
and  a  great  disparity  of  years.  Is  it  not 
hard,  my  lord,  that  crime  only  can 
separate  a  woman  from  undeserved 
cruelty  ?  Must  she  bear  sorrow  without 
redress,  because  the  world  understand* 
not  her  complainings?" 


OR,  WHICH    IS  THE  HEROINE?         101 

u  Alas,  my  child  !  deceit  and  badness 
of  temper,  joined  to  disparity  of  years, 
though  mountains  in  the  road  to  felicity, 
are  so  common,  and  little  noticed  in  the 
marriages  of  the  present  depraved  age,  that 
many  would  laugh  at  your  distress,  and 
think  dissipation,  title, youth  and  beauty, 
ample  recompences  for  the  loss  of  domestic 
peace. — But  be  cheerful,  an  accomodation 
may  yet  be  made  between  you." 

"All  I  wish  is  a  sequestered  spot,  where 
the  unoccupied  hours  of  my  happy  friends 
may  remind  me  ofexistence.  Friends  who 
may  devote  a  small  portion  of  their  time 
in  charitable  notice  of  my  retired  wretch- 
edness. I  ask  not  wealth,  grandeur,  or  su- 
perfluity ;  but  peace  and  retirement,  (said 


192  OWEN    CASTLE; 

she)  and  is  it  not  hard,  taking  no  pleasure 
in  my  society,  save  that  of  torturing  me, 
that  he  can  object  to  my  lonely  quiet?'* 

The  ear]  endeavoured  to  cheer  her  by 
the  comfort  his  interference  might  pro- 
duce, and  she  prepared  to  attend  the  so- 
lemnization of  her  brother's  marriage,  in 
the  hope  of  being  allowed  to  enjoy  the 
calm  but  unshaken  melancholy  that  had 
taken  a  settled  shelter  in  her  bosom.  Mr. 
Stanley  waited  on  her,  and  had  informed 
her,  that  the  will  of  the  deceased  and 
murdered  Mr.  Egerton  had  been  examin- 
ed, and  found  to  contain  an  ample  provi- 
sion for  his  sister  and  her  orphans,  with 
a  small  portion  for  his  offending  nephew, 
who,  struck   to  the  soul  with  contrition 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE  ?         1<)3 

and  dismay  at  his  ensnarer's  death,  had  fled 
in  the  deepest  sorrow  to  a  distant  part  of 
Scotland,  there  to  bury  in  concealment  his 
errors;  thither  his  affectionate  but  sorrow- 
ing family  had  followed,  to  console  his 
anguish  and  encourage  his  reformation. 

In  arranging  every  thing  for  her  bridal 
appearance,  the  time  of  Omphale  delight- 
fully fled  away.  She  felt  herself  the  happi- 
est of  the  happy,  in  uniting  her  fate  to  that 
of  Lord  George,  whose  ardency  of  affec- 
tion was  renewed  with  redoubled  lustre, 
now  he  had  emerged  from  the  delusive 
mist  that  once  obscured  it;  but  in  the 
midst  of  her  joy,  she  did  not  behold  the 
irreparable  misery  of  her  early  friend 
without  the  most  sincere  regret ;  she  felt  a 

vol.  iv.  K 


J  Q4  OWEN    CASTLE; 

fervent  friendship  for  the  amiable. Captain 
Murray,  and  aided  by  Lord  George,  was 
unremitting  in  her  kind  and  commisera- 
ting attentions  to  him. 

On  the  evening  previous  to  the  marri- 
age of  the  elated  Lord  George,  lie  sought 
his  sister  in  her  boudoir,  where  her  time 
was  chiefly  spent,  for  solitude  was  more 
accordant  with  her  melancholy  disposition 
of  mind,  than  the  smiling  gaiety  that 
shone  in  every  face,  and  wafted  from  the 
lips  around  her.  On  entering  he  found  it 
empty,  and  enquiring  of  Winifred  where 
she  was,  learnt,  to  his  inexpressible  sur- 
prise, that  she  had  not  been  seen  since 
the  morning.  His  lordship  was  petrified 
with  astonishment  ;  a   dreadful  fear  stole 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE  HEROINE:       lg5 

into  his  mind,  and  curdled  the  warm  tide 
that  surrounded  his  heart. 

"If  so  long  missing,"  demanded  he, look- 
ing angrily  upon  Winifred,  "  why  did  you 
not  make  it  known  before  ?" 

" Because,  because/'  replied  Winifred, 
hesitatingly,  "  I  did  not  wish  to  prevent 
her  being  as  happy  as  other  people,  Hay 
lord." 

"Then  you  are  certain  she  has  fled  with 
a  companion,"  asked  his  lordship  with  a 
severe  and  scrutinizing  look  of  enquiry. 

"No,  indeed  and    in  double  deed,  my 
lord,  I  don't  know  nothing,  but  lean  guess, 
K  2 


196  owen  castle; 

and  heaven  for  ever  bless  and  protect  her, 
dear  lady." 

"So  can  I/'  exclaimed  his  lordship, 
checking  the  warm  affection  of  her  faith- 
ful attendant ;  u  so  can  I,  and  the  villain 
shall  not  escape  a  brother's  vengeance." 

"Dear  heart/'  whimpered  Winifred,  "  I 
see  no  such  great  harm  in  running  away 
with  a  faithful  true  lover,  like  the  dear  sweet 
Captain  Murray;  when  such  a  cross  ugly 
old  man  was  the  plague  of  her  life,  and 
other  folks  were  going  to  be  so  joyous;  it 
was  enough  to  put  her  upon  thinking  how 
to  be  so  herself." 

Lord  George  was  confounded  by  shame, 


OR,   WHICH    IS  THE    HEROINE?       1^7 

pity,  and  resentment.  If,  said  he,  Murray 
has  seduced  my  sister  from  her  duty,  he 
has  acted  like  a  base  designer,  and  has 
stained  the  honour  of  our  noble  house  with 
lasting  infamy.  Wretched  and  deluded 
pair,  whither  have  they  fled.  He  threw 
himself  on  a  sofa  in  the  greatest  agitation* 
(The  earl  soon  after  entered  the  apartment, 
who  hearing  the  unwelcome  tidings  of 
Lady  Fitzowen's  elopement,  insisted  on 
Winifred's  disclosing  the  particulars  of  her 
flight  and  place  of  destination,  which  she 
in  vain  protested  her  ignorance  of  her  as- 
sertions were  discredited,  and  for  the  fide- 
lity she  appeared  to  maintain;  was  with  her 
husband  immediately  dismissed  the  house. 
The  earl  next  sent  for  Captain  Murray's 
K  3 


198  owen  castle; 

.faithful  attendant,  Maurice  O'  Driseal 
who  lost  no  time  in  appearing  before 
him, 

"Where  is  Captain  Murray,  sir/5  de- 
manded the  Earl  with  passionate  impa- 
tience. 

a  Where  is  he  ?"  repeated  Maurice  bow- 
ing with  profound  respect,  "and  faith  your 
honour  its  myself  that  was  coming  to 
know  that  thing  when  your  gentleman 
came  flying  to  fetch  me  ;  they  said  there 
was  a  mighty  botheration  above  stairs, 
and  I  was  afraid  the  good  captain  was 
in  mischief,  or  some  misfortune  had  be- 
fallen himself,  for  love  your  honour  is  a 
devil  of  a  thing,  and  when    a  gentleman 


OR,  WHICH   IS  THE   HEROINE.-       1<^ 

is  sick  of  that  disorder,  there's  no  know- 
ing where  it  may  lead  him." 

"Is  Captain  Murray  in  town?"  asked 
the  Earl. 

"  And  isn't    he  here,  your  honour  ?" 

"  No!     When  did  you  see  him  last*" 

"  Since  he  isn't  here,  I  can't  tell  any- 
thing about  him,  because  your  honour,  I 
don't  know.  He  walked  out  about  eight 
o'clock  last  night,  saying  nothing  at  all 
to  nobody,  but  sure  and  I  hope  nothing 
has  befel  him!"  cried  he  in  a  tone  of  de- 
jected enquiry, 

"£Tis  in  vain  to  altercate  with  this  pre- 

K    4 


200  OWEN  CASTLE; 

varicating  and  trusty  confident,"  said  the 
Earl,  "  let  a  servant  be  dispatched  to  Sir 
Matthew  Fitzowen,  that  measures  may  be 
considered  for  overtaking  the  fugitives." 

Sir  Matthew  was  not  long  in  obeying 
the  summons;  who  on  hearing  his  lady- 
had  absconded,  gave  free  vent  to  the  rage 
and  jealousy  that  swelled  his  breast.  Mau- 
rice was  made  the  most  tempting  offers  to 
discover  the  retreat  his  master  had  chosen; 
but  he  was  stedfast  in  proclaiming  that 
his  master  had  not  entrusted  him  with  any 
intelligence  on  that  head,  and  protested 
utter  ignorance  of  the  whole  afiair. 

e"T\s  fahe,  fellow,"  cried  the  infirm  and 
inflamed  Baronet,  advancing  to  Maurice; 


OR,   WHICH  IS    THE   HEROINE?         201 

you  are  the  able  assistant  of  the  infamous 
transaction,  and  I  insist  on  being  imme- 
diately informed  where  they  are  to  be 
found." 

"But  for  the  good  Captain  I'd  be  after 
misbehaving  myself,  so  I'll  be  going  while 
I  can,"  returned  Maurice,  retiring  towards 
the  door;  "only  I'd  have  been  obliged  to 
him,  if  heVl  have  mentioned  his  going 
away,  because  I  am  wanting  to  go  to 
Ireland  myself." 

"What,  he's  gone  to  Ireland',   then?'* 
cried  the  Baronet. 

He  has  got  a  fine  estate  there,  your  ho- 
nour, lately  given  him  by  agentleman  that's 
K  5 


203  OWEN    CASTLE  ; 

dead,  and  sure  Old  Ireland  is  the  best 
place  in  the  world  for  a  gentleman  to  live 
in.  May  be,  its  there  he  is;  but  I  don't 
know  no  more  about  the  real  truth  than 
a  sucking  pig/' 

"You/zVj  sir,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  endea- 
vouring to  strike  him  with  his  cane. 

ccBe  asy  old  gentleman,"  said  Maurice, 
putting  it  aside.  "It  isn't  an  old  soldier 
that  fears  a  rattan,  after  he  has  stood  by 
the  cannon's  mouth  when  vomit  ting  red 
hot  balls.  Och,  honey!  and  I'm  not  the  lad 
to  be  frightened  by  a  bit  of  a  squib  hissing 
about  me." 

"  A  villain,  cried  the  irritated  Baronet, 


OR,    WHICH  IS  THE   HEROINE?         203 

but  I'll  pursue  them  to  the  end  of  time. 
I'll  bring  her  back;  I'll  teach  her  to  run 
away." 

The  Earl  motioned  Maurice  to  quit  the 
apartment. 

"  I'm  going  your  honours,  but  must  beg 
leave  to  ^ay,  that  if  my  good  captain  has 
run  away  with  the  old  gentleman's  lady, 
I  knowed  nothing  at  all  at  all  of  the  mat- 
ter. Och!  and  it's  myself  that  wouid'nt 
have  denied  him  assistance  in  any  manner 
of  way ;  but  in  an  act  of  charity  I'd  be  the 
foremost,  for  sure  it's  a  charity  to  rob  a 
young  wife  of  an  old  husband  any  day." 

"Get  out"  exclaimed  the  Baronet,  who 
k  6 


204  OWEN   CASTLE; 

storming  with  madness  at  bis  familiarity, 
pushed  him  from  the  door. 

Sir  Matthew  ordered  his  chariot  to  be 
got  ready  immediately,  and  declared  his 
intention  of  commencing  his  pursuit  that 
very  hour.  He  had  heard  of  the  estate  be- 
queathed to  Captain  Murray  in  Ireland, 
and  thither  resolved  to  follow  him  and  his 
lady,  and  force  her  back,  and  then  divorce 
her  with  infamy. 

The  Earl  promised  to  overtake  him  the 
next  day,  as  soon  as  the  marriage  ceremony 
of  Lord  George  was  over.  Sir  Matthew 
left  London  with  the  greatest  dispatch, 
and  in  the  utmost  perturbation.  The  festive 
nuptials  were  greatly  damped  by  the  re- 


OR,     WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE  ?       205 

cent  supposed  elopement  of  lady  Fitzowen  \ 
but  what  tongu  ecan  describe  the  wonder 
perplexity  of  the  bridal  groupe  as  assem- 
bled before  the  altar,  when  Captain  Mur- 
ray, breathless  with  haste  and  many  apo- 
logies, appeared  to  fulfil  his  promise  to 
his  friend  Rufus  Marmaduke,  by  being 
present  at  his  marriage.  Lord  George 
could  not  conjecture  what  mystery  enve- 
loped and  withheld  his  sister,  and  with 
astonishment  heard  the  Captain  whisper  to 
his  friend,  " Where  is  lady  Fitzowen?  I 
had  hoped,  yet  dreaded,  to  behold  her  here. % 
An  universal  alarm  spread  through  the  bo- 
soms of  her  friends,  lest  some  fatal  acci- 
dent or  premeditated  act  of  grief  and  de- 
spair had  caused  her  non-appearance.  As 
soon  as  the  ceremony  was  over,  the  bridal 


206  OWEN    CASTLE; 

party  took  leave  of  London  for  Marble 
Hall,  the  seat  of  Lord  Orkley,  where  the 
nuptials  were  to  be  celebrated  with  rustic 
festivity,  and  the  partners  of  each  other's 
hearts  enjoy  the  tranquil  charm  of  real  fe- 
licity undisturbed  by  empty  dissipation  or 
parade.  Thus  blest  in  rational  society 
and  dear  companionship,  their  hours  glided 
on  with  rapidity,  and  had  not  their  rank 
compelled  a  deviation  from  their  sweet 
plan  of  elegant  seclusion^  they  would  not 
have  mingled  in  tumultuous  gaiety,  nor 
have  proclaimed  by  ostentatious  hospita- 
lity, the  happiness  that  dwelt  within  their 
gate. 


OR,    WHICH    IS  THE  HEROINE?       207 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII, 


XvUFUS  Marmaduke  remained  with 
Lord  George  and  his  lady  a  fortnight 
only,  when  he  left  them,  with  his  fair 
bride,  to  commence  the  zealous  pastor  of 
his  flock.  He  could  not  give  up  his  pious 
instruction  of  their  religious  duties  to 
another,  or  set  inactive  in  a  trust  so  im- 
portant, when  his  heart  and  conscience 
disapproved  the  unholy  neglect  many  of 
his  brethren  were   led   into  by   example, 


208  OWEN  CASTLE; 

or  by  indolence,  or  from   worse  motive, 
had  habitually  indulged  in. 

It  is  impossible  to  express  the  alarmed 
anxiety  of  Earl  Notherlaud  on  his  daugh- 
ter's account,    and  the  distraction  of  Cap- 
tain Murray.   Every  effort  had  been  made 
to  gain   tidings   of  the  beloved  absentee, 
but  without  avail ;    they  were  doomed  to 
linger  for  many  hours  in  the  deepest  hor- 
ror and  suspence.     In  the   agony    of  re- 
morse, Captain  Murry  acknowledged  the 
atrocity   of  endeavouring  to  seduce  Lady 
Fitzowen  from  her  duty  ;   her  abhorrence 
and  rejection  of  his  unauthorized  passion, 
and  entire  seclusion  from  his  society  a^d 
solicitations  ;    with    his    contrite  sorrow, 
submission,  and  his  total  ignorance  of  her 


OR,   WHICH  IS  THE    HEROINE  ?      209 

present  afflicting  disappearance  or   place 
of  retreat. 


The  EaiTs  breast  burnt  with  indigna- 
tion at  the  insult  the  ardour  of  his  pas- 
sion had  hurried  him  to  commit ;  but 
compassion  for  his  present  anguish  lulled 
his  resentment  to  a  calm  reprimand,  and 
made  him  more  readily  credit  the  assur- 
ances he  gave  of  his  present  innocence. 
"  Yes,  it  is  plain,"  cried  the  earl,  "  my 
wretched  child  could  not  endure  the  sight 
of  her  brother's  happiness ;  or  meet  at 
the  altar  of  her  creator,  the  man  her 
heart  called  husband,  when  fate  had  linked 
her  to  another.  Oh  !  it  was  a  task  fitting 
a  breast  of  adamant ;  not  the  susceptible 
bosom  of  feminine  weakness.     The  mi- 


210  owen  castle; 

sery  of  her  heart  bewildered  again  her 
overcharged  brain ;  and  in  a  desperate 
moment  she  has  secretly  rushed  into  the 
presence  of  an  offended  Divinity.  I  may 
embrace  her  cold  corpse,  but  never  hear 
her  soft  voice  murmur  on  my  ear  again !" 
The  wretched  father  sunk  overpowered  by 
his  dreadful  suggestion  into  his  chair,  while 
Captain  Murray  groaned  with  horror  at 
the  thought. 

We  must  now  to  proceed  to  account 
to  our  readrs  for  Lady  Fitzowen's  con- 
duct. 

Selfish  sorrow  had  not  so  entirely  en- 
tirely engrossed  the  mind  of  her  lady- 
dyship,   as  to   render  her  callous  to   the 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?         211 

distresses  of  others.  The  protectors  of 
her  helpless  mother,  the  generous  Henry 
El  win,  and  his  amiable  companion 
in  humanity,  the  lovely  Susanna,  had 
soon  after  the  death  of  her  mother,  mar- 
ried, and  kept  up  a  correspondence  with 
her  aunt  for  some  years  after.  But  mis- 
fortunes had  come  thickly  on  them,  and 
the  inability  of  her  aunt  to  relieve  their 
distresses  had  deeply  affected  the  greatful 
heart  of  her  niece;  when  arrived  in  Lon- 
don her  ladyship  made  every  enquiry 
concerning  them,  and  found  that  the  kind 
comfortress  of  her  mother  was  dead,  but 
that  Mr.  El  win  was  alive,  surrounded  by 
a  large  family  and  in  very  indigent  circum- 
stances; she  made  a  personal  visit  of  gra- 
titude to  the  afflicted  widower,    put   his 


212  OWEN  CASTLE; 

youngest  daughter  to  a  boarding  school, 
released  him  from  many  embarrassments, 
and  finally  procured  him  an  advantageous 
situation.  In  these  arrangements  Sir  Mat- 
thew had  been  courted  to  assist  by  his  in- 
terest only;  his  purse  had  never  been 
opened  to  the  necessitous  calls  of  charity, 
and  from  her  own  sparing  allowance  did 
his  angel  lady  strive  to  evince  her  grateful 
remembrance  of  Mrs.  El  win's  disinterested 
benevolence  to  her  mother.  The  Reve- 
rend James  Maskall  was  her  agent  in  this 
gentle  office ;  her  attendance  on  the  baro- 
net made  her  dependant  on  a  trusty  aU 
moner. 

The  beauty  of  the  benevolent  lady  Fitz- 
owen  had  long  been  the  adoration  of  her 


OR,    WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?        2  13 

husband's  friend  and  counsellor,    the  re- 
verend pious  pastor,  and  hope  whispered, 
that  his  patron's  death  would  soon  autho- 
rise an   open   avowal   of  his  passion;    in 
the   mean  time  he  endeavoured  to  ingra- 
tiate himself  into   her  good  opinion,  by 
affecting  abundance  of  piety  and  benevo- 
lence,   and  to  blind  the   credulous    baro- 
net, acted  in   perfect  unison  with  all  his 
humours:    the  result  of  his  designs  have 
been   seen,    which  drove  her  to  an  unex- 
pected father's   protection,    and  banished 
him  the  presence  of  Sir  Matthew. 

Earl  Northerland  assiduously  proved 
his  gratitude  to  the  worthy  Mr.  Elwin 
and  his  family,  by  taking  his  sons  under 
his  sanction,  and  promoting  them  in  the 
service  of  their   kin^. 


214  owen  castle; 

To  see  the  daughter  of  Mr.  El  win,  lady 
Fitzowen  often  took  an  airing,  the  school 
she  had  carefully  selected  being  near 
Chelsea;  and  determined  after  a  twelve- 
month's serious  application,  to  take  the 
remainder  of  her  education  on  herself, 
and  thus  procure  an  engaging  companion 
in  the  dreary  seclusion  she  had  chosen. 
Her  protegee  was  about  fourteen,  her 
education  greatly  neglected  from  the 
overpowering  embarrasments  of  her  father, 
required  a  zealous  adherance  to  study 
and  the  refining  hand  of  an  accomplished 
female,  before  it  could  rise  to  superio- 
rity. 

The  situation  of  the  house  and  grounds, 
joined  to  the  pure  air,  revived  her  droop- 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?         2  1  5 

ing  spirits,  and  struck  with  the  digni- 
iied  suavity  of  the  respectable  governess, 
and  the  sweetness  of  temper  displayed  in 
the  mind  and  manners  of  the  engaging 
pupil,  she  was  induced  to  stay  the  day. 
She  dismissed  her  carriage  and  attendants, 
with  a  note  to  the  earl,  stating"  the  air 
had  so  greatly  benefited  her  spirits,  that 
she  proposed  reposing  at  the  school  that 
night  and  to  return  on  the  ,  following 
morning,  w hen  the  carriage  was  to  convey 
her  back.  The  servant  to  whom  this  note 
was  entrusted,  conveyed  it  to  Mr.  Mask- 
all's  man  John,  who  with  his  master  was 
continually  on  the  watch  for  her  ladyship  ; 
the  carriage  returned,  but  no  note  ex- 
plained the  reason  assigned  for  her  lady- 
ships, non-appeara  nee;  the  footman  mere- 


2  16  OWEN  castle; 

ly  said,  his  lady  remained  at  the  school ; 
and  Winifred,  misjudging  the  conduct  of 
her  lady,  forbore  to  inform  the  earl  or 
Lord  George  of  he^r  absence,  who  were 
engaged  to  dinner  at  Lord  Ork ley's,  and 
did  not  return  till  late  that  night.  When 
the  messenger  arrived  who  had  been  sent 
to  the  school,  he  brought  word,  that  her 
ladyship  had  in  the  cool  of  the  evening 
walked  out,  but  not  being  seen  since,  and 
every  possible  enquiry  made,  it  was  sup- 
posed she  had  taken  coach  and  gone  home. 
This  was  a  true  statement  of  all  the  gover- 
ness knew. 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?         217 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 


JLM  DY  Fitzovven  had  wandered  to  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  the  house,  when 
a  servant,  breathless  with  haste,  ap- 
proached her,  saying,  a  sudden  accident 
of  a  dangerous  nature  had  befallen  her 
friend,  Lady  Sarah  Fairfield,  who  had  sent 
a  carriage,  imploring  her  speedy  appear- 
ance. Alarmed  by  the  apparent  flurry 
of  the  servant,  and  dreading  to  find  Lady 
Sarah  severely  hurt,  she  sprung  into  the 
carriage,     which    the  servant  ordered    to 

VOL.  IV.  L 


218  OWEN    CASTLE; 

Windsor.  She  knew  Lady  Sarah  had  rela- 
tives there,  and  recollected  to  have  heard 
her  say,  she  must  call  on  one  of  them 
that  day,  who  was  to  be  her  bride's-maid. 
The  rapidity  of  the  horses  were  in  uni- 
son with  her  anxious  desire  of  being  with 
her  friend,  and  it  was  not  until  they 
entered  Windsor  forest,  and  the  heavy 
mists  of  night  began  to  gather,  that  she 
became  uneasy,  or  entertained  the  least 
suspicion  of  insecurity  or  treachery.  The 
distressing  idea  had  scarcely  entered  her 
mind,  when  the  carriage  stopped,  and 
ea^er  to  be  ascertained  of  the  truth  of  her 
fears,  she  entered  a  neat  house  by  the 
road  side;  when  shown  into  a  parlour,  a 
letter  was  presented  to  her,,  she  took  it 
with  a  trembling  hand  and  read  as 
follows : 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE   HEROINE?      219 

"  To  Lady  Grace  Fitzowen. 

"  Forgive  me,  divine  love,  the  stratagem 
your  cruelty  has  driven  me  to  execute; 
and  let  me  plead  for  pardon  in  snatching 
the  blissful  treasure  I  have  so  long  coveted 
and  envied  another  the  possession  of.  In 
a  few  minutes  I  shall  be  with  you  in 
person,  and  convince  you  of  those  ardent 
and  grateful  emotions  my  pen  can  never 
describe,  or  my  tongue  adequately  ex- 
press. 

"James  Maskae!/* 

Greatly  agitated,  she  rung  the  bell,  and 
desired  the  servant  who  answered  it,  to 
send  the  master^or  mistress  of  the  house 
instantly  to  her. 

L  2 


220  OWEN  CASTLE  ; 

In  a  moment  Mr.  Maskall  was  before 
her. 

She  demanded  her  immediate  liberty, 
or  hade  him  tremble  for  the  consequences. 
His  protestations  of  adoration,  sighs  and 
tears,  were  alike  unheeded.  He  found 
her,  not  like  many  who  unused  to  adver- 
sity sink  at  once  beneath  its  stroke;  but 
beheld  her  resolved  to  resist  and  punish 
his  depravity.  "  You  are  not  in  a  country, 
sir,  where  romance  and  fraud  can  find 
countenance  or  protection,"  cried  her 
ladyship,  cs  if  you  persist  to  detain  me,  the 
law,  and  my  husband's  revenge  shall 
overtake  you  even  in  the  hour  of  boasted 
triumph."     She  abruptly    passed   to  the 


OR,    WHICH    IS   THE  HEROINE?       221 

hall,  and  insisted  on  the  postilions  re- 
mounting, or  bade  them  beware  of  the 
punishment  their  disobedience  would 
draw  on  them.  Self-preservation,  and 
the  temptation  of  a  large  reward,  deter- 
mined them  to  comply  with  her  request. 
Her  presence  of  mind  and  haughty 
bearing,  so  different  from  the  affrighted 
timidity  he  had  expected,  bereft  Mr. 
Maskall  of  all  power  to  oppose  her  leap- 
ing into  the  carriage,  which  by  the  time 
he  recovered  from  his  surprise,  had  va- 
nished from  his  sight. 

She  ordered  the  postilions  to  return  to 

Chelsea  ;    where   by   a  few  hours  repose, 

she  attempted  to  calm  her  agitation  ;  for 

notwithstanding    the    firmness    she    had 

L  3 


222  OWEN    CASTLE; 

displayed,  she  had  been  greatly  shocked 
and  alarmed  by  the  daring  effort  made  to 
trepan  her.  The  next  morning,  learning 
from  the  governess  the  consternation  her 
absence  had  created,  she  hastened  to  her 
father's  and  entered  the  drawing  room 
at  the  moment  he  had  formed  the 
dreadful  idea  of  her  death.  He  rose 
on  her  entrance,  not  daring  to  be- 
lieve his  senses  until  the  rapturous 
exclamation  of  joy  uttered  by  Cap- 
tain Murray,  convinced  him  of  the 
reality   of  her  safety  and  presence. 

The  account  she  gave  of  the  strata- 
gem that  had  detained  her,  filled  them 
with    indignant  rage,   and   the  assuming 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?        223 

villain  was  not  destined   to  escape  their 
revenge. 

Earl  Northerland  dispatched  a  messen- 
ger to  overtake  Sir  Matthew,  and  prevent, 
if  possible,  his  visiting  Ireland.  The 
sixth  day  brought  the  messenger  again 
to  London,  at  the  very  moment  Captain 
Murray  was  taking  an  affectionate 
leave  of  Lady  Fitzowea  and  her 
father,  who  beheld  the  moving  scene 
with  feelings  lktle  short  of  those  that 
agonized  the  bosoms  of  the  sufferers  be- 
fore him. 

With  a  countenance  full  of  melancholy 
importance  the  messenger  entered  the 
room,    and  stated,  that  on  his   arrival  at 


22 &  OWEN    CASTLE; 

Holyhead,  he  found  the  baronet  had 
embarked  on  board  the  packet  the  day 
before;  a  dreadful  Storm  had  arisen  during 
the  night,  and  although  every  assistance 
was  rendered,  humanity  could  suggest, 
or  the  darkness  of  the  night  allow, 
the  vessel  had  been  dashed  to  pieces, 
and  every  person  on  board  perished. 

"  Merciful  heaven!  Sir  Matthew 
then  has  perished!"  cried  Lady  Fitz- 
owen,  insensibly  falling  into  the  out- 
stretched arms  of  Captain  Murray, 
who  fondly  pressing  her  to  his  trans- 
ported breast,  exclaimed,  "  She  is  free ! 
She  will  yet  be  mine !  Virtuous  love 
and  unshaken  honour  will  ever  be  re- 
warded. " 


OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  HEROINE?  22ft 

We  have  now  only  to  add  the  few  fol- 
lowing particulars. 

Lady  Fitzowen,  in  dutiful  compliment 
to  an  unworthy  husband,  remained  a 
widow  eighteen  months,  and  then  was 
prevailed  upon  to  make  Captain  Murray 
happy.  His  estate  in  Ireland  was  one 
thousand  two  hundred  pounds  per  annum. 
The  earl  presented  him  with  thirty  thou- 
sand pounds  as  a  marriage  portion  with 
his  daughter,  and  the  large  Fitzowen 
estate  became  her's  by  marriage  settlement 
and  will,  Sir  Matthew  leaving  no  relative 
behind  him. 

"The    friendship     contracted     between 
kindred  souls,  who  had  early  encountered 


226  OWEN    CASTLE  ; 

misfortunes,  lasted  the  remainder  of 
their  lives  ;  they  had  now  become  doubly 
sisters  by  marriage.  A  strict  intimacy 
subsisted  between  the  Lords  Orkley  and 
Northerland.  The  noble  earls  lived  to  a 
good  old  age,  beloved  and  respected  by  all 
their  numerous  friends  and  dependants, 
and  Owen  Castle  recovered  its  ancient  hos- 
pitality, under  the  all-cheering  auspices 
and  presence  of  the  benevolent  Lady 
Grace  Fitzowen  Murray,  whose  liberality 
was  only  equalled  by  her  friend  and  sister, 
Lady  Omphale  Fitzbeauchamp.  Rivals 
only  in  acts  of  goodness,  these  amiable 
women  in  creased  inrespect  from  year  to 
year,  each  diffusing,  like  the  glorious  sun, 
rays  of  comfort  and  cheerful  happiness  to 
all  around  them.     Their  example  may  be 


OR,    WHICH  IS  THE    HEROINE?       227 

imitated,  but  can  never  be  surpassed  ;  nor 
can  our  readers  decide,  we  believe,  any 
more  than  ourselves — which  of  the  two 
is  the  Heroine  ? 


END. 


F.  iwaH  H'd.<on.  Printer, 
15,  Cross  Slreei,  Hatton  Garden, 


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